Cuttack: Commissionerate Police-Cuttack arrested two persons Tuesday evening for extorting donation from a businessman in Malgodown area of the city for the upcoming Dussehra celebrations.
According to a Malgodown police official, the two members of College Square Puja Committee were identified as Sarat Kumar Behera and Rakesh Kumar Behera. They have been accused of threatening a local trader with dire consequences if he failed to shell out Rs 13,000.
One of the accused is a Dahi Bara seller while the other is a snacks vendor. The trader however, expressed his inability to pay the amount asked for. Later he lodged an FIR with Malgodown police alleging that the two had threatened him.
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Swinging into action, police arrested the two office-bearers of the puja committee, Cuttack Zone-I ACP Amarendra Panda informed while briefing mediapersons. The arrested were forwarded to court Wednesday, the ACP added.
Panda also said that if any other member of the same puja committee is found involved in such activities, they will also be arrested.
PNN