National

Tonsuring of farmer: 3 held

Kendrapara (Orissa): Three persons were arrested on Friday in connection with the alleged tonsuring of a farmer, who had launched a crusade against corruption in Bijoynagar in this coastal district of Orissa.

The incident had snowballed into a controversy with the Opposition parties rallying behind the victim.

Kangali Jena, a poor farmer, who fought corruption in the far-flung village under Mahakalapada police station, was tonsured and dragged on the streets allegedly by BJD supporters last week, police sources said.

Police had registered cases against seven persons, including local sarpanch Uttam Tarai, following a complaint lodged by Jena, who had moved Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and the State Human Rights Commission, they said.

Meanwhile, the Congress, the CPI(M) and the NCP held a joint meeting in the village and demanded the arrest of Mr. Tarai under the National Security Act. They threatened that unless the culprits were arrested immediately, they would start a road blockade.

The incident occurred when a mob led by Mr. Tarai had allegedly barged into Jena’s house and beat him up. They also dragged him on the village roads and tonsured him while he was in a semi-conscious state, the sources said. — PTI

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