Odisha: Self-styled godman who instigated people to hate Aryans arrested
BHUBANESWAR, SEPT. 3: The Odisha on Thursday arrested a lawyer-turned self-styled godman named Manas Das in connection with murder of dalit man and inhumanly torturing many others for not joining his organization called Manababad Sangathan.
He was charged for murder, attempt to murder, criminal conspiracy, loot and physical assault.
Das was picked up from his Saheed Nagar residence in capital city Bhubaneswar. His son Manoranjan was also arrested for complicity in the crimes committed by his father and Manababad Sangathan.
The self-styled godman was arrested following a police complaint lodged on August 3 by one Basanta Naik of Abhimanpur in Khurda district who alleged that Das was forcing dalits and tribals to join his organisation and instigating them to dislike the people hailing from Aryan communities.
The complainant also mentioned that Das was involved in the murder of dalit man who refused to join Manababad Sangathan.
Though the state police was initially dilly-dallying to arrest Das for his connections with top leaders of the ruling BJD, it woke up after the media highlighted a viral video that exposed how the members of Manababad Sangathan were brutally thrashing a father-son duo for not joining their organization.
Several dalit families of Abhimanpur have escaped to nearby forests to save themselves from the brutalities of Das.
Central Range inspector general of police Narasingha Mishra said clinching evidences had been collected to prove Das’ involved in the murder of a dalit man and torturing many others.
“We have got clinching evidence to prove Das’ offences in the court of law. Previously, six of his accomplices were arrested. If involvement of any other persons are found, they will also be arrested,” the top cop said.
