10 accused persons were arrested Thursday in connection with the alleged assault on BJP-backed independent MLA Himanshu Sekhar Sahoo in Jajpur district.
The attack on Dharmasala MLA took place Wednesday evening near a bridge over the Budha River, within the Jajpur Town police limits.
In his complaint, the legislator accused the assailants of being followers of BJD leader Pranab Prakash Das, popularly known as Bobby, claiming they intended to murder him.
However, BJD leader and ex-minister Pranab Prakash Das, while denouncing the attack, insisted on the arrest of all suspects.
“I have instructed the district police to detain the offenders,” he told the press. He further declared that the BJD condemns violence and suggested his brother, implicated by Sahoo, present himself at the police station to prove his innocence if he was not involved.
The police responded promptly, conducting raids across the district and apprehending 10 individuals suspected of assaulting the MLA.
Following their arrest, they were presented before a local court Thursday and subsequently placed in judicial custody for 14 days after their bail applications were denied, according to the police.
Responding to media queries on the attack on Dharmasala MLA, Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan said that stern action will be taken against all the culprits.
