Puri: Eight persons have been arrested in connection with the attack on four journalists while covering the first phase of the panchayat polls at Badal gram panchayat in Puri district.
The accused have been identified as Satyapriya Maharana (40), Bulla alias Bijay Swain (30), Subash Majhi (36), Nikunj Swain (57), Uttam Bhujbal (21), Ajay Barisal (38), Bidyadhar Swain (40), and Brajbandhu Swain (60).
Reportedly, four journalists from two electronic media organisations were on duty at a booth in Badal panchayat in Kanas block yesterday when they were attacked by the accused persons.
Following the incident, Gadisagada Police had conducted multiple raids during intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday and nabbed the accused persons involved in the attack.
They have been booked under sections 341/323/325/294/506/307/395/34 of the Indian Penal Code. Police have seized one mobile phone, two booms, wire bundles, live telecast machine, and other accessories from their possession.
Meanwhile, a special team has been constituted under Puri Additional SP P Pradhan and Sadar SDPO KC Mund to complete the investigation in a time bound manner. Further arrests are likely in the case based on evidence collection.
