Following information about the illegal firearms, police conducted raids on two villages under Ranpur block of the district, police said at a press meet on Thursday.

During the raid on Khatribarapur village under Ranpur police limits, 3 country-made guns were seized from the possession of Kumar Dalei, Kasinath Dalei and Nityanand Dalei.

Similarly, two guns were seized from Shiv Sundar Pradhan and Keshab Chandra Nayak during raid on Jirapada village under Chandpur police limits.

Following the seizure, police registered a case and forwarded the arrested persons to the court. After the court rejected the bail applications of the accused, they were sent to jail, the police said.

According to sources, the man, identified as Arjun Bagh of Bidapaju village under Banigochha police station in the district, works as a daily labourer. He stays with his family including wife Juli and two children in the village.

For the past some time, the relation between the couple had soured as Arjun accused Juli of having relationship with another man. They used to have argument over the issue frequently as Juli strongly refuted the allegation, the sources said.

On Saturday, Arjun went out on work in the morning and returned home in the afternoon. As Juli was not present in the house at the time, he went out in search of her. By the time he returned home without finding her, Juli had come back.

When asked where she had gone, Juli could not give satisfactory answer to Arjun. Agitated by it, Arjun again picked up the issue of infidelity and an argument ensued between the couple.

However, the office order cites no reason for his removal.

This came amid speculation of possible disciplinary action against the lawmaker over his critical views on the ruling dispensation and 5T secretary V K Pandian and the seemingly growing differences within the ruling party ahead of twin elections scheduled in April 2024 in Odisha. BJD leaders have been targeting Soumya, accusing him of blackmailing the party, for the past few days.

On September 9, Industries and Energy Minister Pratap Keshari Deb even asked Soumya to quit BJD if he was unable to abide by the party discipline. BJD MP Amar Patnaik later told the media that criticising the party while being a member was unacceptable.

Soumya had earlier retorted that his attempts to reform the party cannot be called indiscipline. He also said the leaders making statements against him were being pressurised to do so.

In editorial articles in a leading Odia daily as well as bytes to journalists, the legislator had attacked 5T secretary V K Pandian’s whirlwind district visits and stranglehold over the government and party.

The incident took place at Rajpatana when the girl was returning home in a bicycle on Friday. The accused persons stopped her and dragged her inside a vehicle before fleeing the site. They were proceeding towards Chandibasta area, according to sources.

On getting information about the incident, a team of police personnel tracked the vehicle which was heading towards Chandibasta. The cops chased and intercepted the vehicle near Chandibasta.

The girl was rescued and all the four accused persons were apprehended. Investigation into the incident is in progress and further details are awaited.

The accused have been identified as Raghunath Pradhan, Santosh Dora, Kishore Chandra and Jitendra Biswal.