Odisha: Two held for firing at travel agency office for delay in refund of cancelled railway tickets
Jajpur (PTI): Odisha Police on Friday arrested two persons with criminal backgrounds for allegedly firing at a travel agency office here over a delay in the refund of cancelled railway tickets.
The accused have been identified as Michael Santosh (23) of Purbakot village and Santosh Pradhan (24) of Mundamal village, both in Jajpur district.
Police arrested the duo on Thursday night from the homes of their relatives outside the district, police said.
A pistol used in the firing, four live rounds, a motorcycle, and a mobile phone were seized from their possession.
SP Yashpratap Srimal said the accused have criminal antecedents not only in Odisha but also in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.
"They have been booked under relevant sections of the Arms Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Further investigation is underway into their criminal activities," he said.
Micheal had given Rs 8,000 to one Devidutta Panda, owner of the travel agency at Jajpur Road, to book four online railway tickets for Dibrugarh in Assam from Jajpur Road two weeks ago, police said.
Later, Micheal had asked Panda to cancel the tickets and refund the entire amount a day before the journey.
Panda reportedly told him the refund had not yet been credited to his account by railway authorities and asked for more time.
Enraged by the delay, Michael and his associate allegedly arrived at the agency on a motorcycle on Wednesday night and fired at the closed office before fleeing the scene.
No casualties or damage to property were reported.
Based on the complaint of Panda, Jajpur Road police on Thursday registered a case and arrested both the criminals.
"We have arrested the duo under relevant sections of Arms Act and BNS," Srimal said.
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Attacks on Christians contradict PM's message of harmony, visit to church: Gehlot
Jaipur (PTI): Former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Thursday expressed concern over the reported attacks and disruptions in prayer gatherings of the Christian community in different parts of the country, saying such incidents were "worrying and condemnable".
In a post on X, Gehlot said that while the Prime Minister Narendra Modi was visiting a church and giving a message of peace and harmony, news of attacks on members of the Christian community from various regions reflected a serious contradiction.
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"Symbolic gestures would not be enough, and strict legal action was required against those spreading hatred," the senior Congress leader said.
He added that Indian culture has always upheld the spirit of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam", where every citizen has full freedom to practise their faith.
Gehlot urged the Centre and state governments to uphold the rule of law and ensure that no citizen is forced to celebrate their festival under fear.
