NAIB SARPANCH, ARRESTED FOR VIOLATING COVID-19 IN GANJAM

Bureau,Odishabarta

GANJAM: As many as 11 persons including a Naib Sarpanch have been arrested by Polasara police today on charges of violating Covid-19 regulations during consecration of a temple at Mardarajpur village in Ganjam district.

The arrested Naib Sarpanch of J Dengapadar GP has been identified as Krushna Chandra Jena, while the identities of the other 10 persons are yet to be ascertained.

The arrest came after the Block Development Office (BDO) of Polasara block lodged a formal police complaint.

A video of more than 500 people taking a round of the village during a “maha yagna” has gone viral on social media. The people were spotted violating the norms of social distancing during the ritual and Some of them were also spotted taking part in the ritual without wearing masks.

Ganjam Collector Vijay Amruta Kulange told media persons that FIR has been lodged against the Naib Sarpanch of J Dengapadar GP, Krishna Ch. Jena and the priest, The naib sarpanch and 10 others have been arrested for violating social distancing norms during programme organised in Mardarajpur. He further added that a report has been sent to the govt for further action in this regard.