Posco clash: CPI leader Narayan Reddy arrested

Paradip, Dec 24: A day after the arrest of a key accused in the clash at proposed Posco steel plant site near here, CPI leader and former MLA Narayan Reddy was held in connection with the violence that claimed one life. Reddy was caught near Japa Square in Erasama area of Jagatsinghpur district in the wee hours while he was trying to move out of the place, Inspector Gupteswar Bhoi said.

After being arrested, the anti-Posco leader was taken to Kujang police station amid tight security and then produced before a local court which remanded him to judicial custody for two weeks, he said.

Reddy, against whom two FIRs were filed in connection with the December 14 violence that left D Swain dead and injured 25 others, had been camping in the area after the arrest of Posco Pratirodh Sangram Samiti (PPSS) president Abhay Sahu about a month ago, sources said.

"I have been framed in false case," Reddy claimed. With the arrest of the CPI leader, the number of people arrested in connection with the clash rose to seven. Meanwhile, key accused in the clash Bapi Sharkhel of Paradip Paribahan Company, who had been arrested from Chhattisgarh, was produced before a magistrate at Kujanga and sent to jail for 14 days following rejection of his bail application, they said.

PTI