BJP claims Kandhamal riot convict MLA Manoj Kumar Pradhan 'innocent'

Claiming that Kandahamal-riot accused convict BJP MLA Manoj Kumar Pradhan was innocent, the Orissa BJP today demanded arrest of those involved in the killing of VHP leader Laxmanananda Saraswati.
   
Claiming that hundreds of innocent people, including Pradhan were harassed by police, BJP's state president Jual Oram said "what happened (violence) in Kandhamal was the reaction over the merciless killing of Saraswati."
   
He said that it was the responsibility of the police to nab those involved in the killing of Saraswati instead of harassing 'innocent people'.
   
He said that Pradhan would move Orissa high court challenging the fast track court's verdict.
   
Pradhan was convicted yesterday for the killing of a man during the 2008 Kandhamal riots.
   
Pradhan and another person named Prafulla Mallick were accused of killing Parikhita Digal of Raikia area on August 27, 2008.