**Puri:** For arresting the fleeing servitors, found accused in the ‘Niladri Bije’ fiasco and allegedly attacking media persons and heckling the Collector, the raids of the district police are on while a delegation of the Chhatisa Nijog’s peace committee met both the Collector and Superintendent of Police on Saturday requesting them to stop such raids and arrests.
Talking to media SP Sarthak Sarangi said, “A peace committee of Chhatisa Nijog had come with an appeal to stop such raids and arrests, but they were said that it is just a legal process and the court will decide if they are guilty or not”.
The SP also informed that on Friday the four special squads formed for the purpose raided 15 spots as per information including three hotels and peripheral apartments, but none of the absconding sebayats (temple servitors) were found.
“Hence, it has been decided that the SDJM Court here will be moved for declaring them absconders and their property will be attached accordingly. We’ve heard that three of them have moved the High Court for anticipatory bail. Hence, we’ll also be moving the High Court not to grant them bail as they have flouted the Court’s verdict,” the SP further informed.
In a major development on the day, the district journalists held a rally demanding special law for security of working journalists, protection for devotees and strict adherence of the Orissa High Court order banning climbing atop the chariots during Rath Yatra festival and not to touch the deities on any occasions by other than the authorised servitors, and stringent actions against unruly servitors.