India
Five Detained Over Alleged Desecration of Santal Worship Site in Keonjhar
Odisha police arrested five men—Chandan Sethy, Dibyajyoti Puhan, Akshay Kumar Sahoo, Suresh Mallick and Srichandan Puhan—on Tuesday for allegedly desecrating a sacred grove used by the Santal community in Basantpur village, Keonjhar district. The arrests came 12 days after the incident was reported and almost three weeks after it allegedly occurred.
According to a First Information Report filed by tribal villagers on October 29, the incident took place on October 23 at a place of worship locally known as Jaher Than. The complaint states that about 15 to 20 people, allegedly armed with knives, iron rods and sticks, entered the site and abused worshippers. Women who tried to resist were allegedly manhandled and subjected to inappropriate behaviour. The attackers also allegedly dragged two youths and their motorcycles 30 to 40 metres before leaving, leaving the youths injured. The complainants further alleged that villagers were threatened with the discontinuation of their subsidised rice quota and government allowances if they reported the incident to the police.
Rabi Hembrum, a villager, said the police had refused to register a separate FIR for the desecration of Jaher Than and had combined the matter with the case of assault on villagers. Anandpur sub‑divisional police officer Kamal Lochan Panda said an investigation was underway.
The incident sparked political controversy. A Biju Janata Dal delegation led by former minister and the party’s Tribal Cell president Sudam Marndi alleged that people associated with the Bajrang Dal were behind the attack and demanded an independent investigation. The BJD statement noted that the attack on tribals highlighted the unsafe conditions for communities in the state, especially since the chief minister himself belongs to the Santal community. No response has yet come from the Bajrang Dal or the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.
Frequently asked questions
Who were the five men arrested by Odisha police?
Chandan Sethy, Dibyajyoti Puhan, Akshay Kumar Sahoo, Suresh Mallick, and Srichandan Puhan.
What was the alleged incident that led to the arrests?
The men allegedly desecrated the Santal sacred grove known as Jaher Than in Basantpur village, Keonjhar district, on October 23.
When was the incident reported and when were the arrests made?
The incident was reported on October 29, and the arrests were made 12 days later.