Bhawanipatna, Oct 16: A youth leader associated with the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) was arrested for allegedly assaulting an elderly tribal man with a slipper in Odisha’s Kalahandi district, police said on Thursday.

The accused has been identified as Rajesh Bagarti, a resident of Dudukel village under Golamunda police limits in Kalhandi district.

As per reports, Bagarti attacked 64-year-old tribal man, Ratan Bhoi, after an altercation occurred between the two near the Thakurani temple in the village where the accused was constructing a toilet.

When Bhoi questioned Bagarti about why he constructed a toilet near the temple premises—suggesting that it could have been built a little farther away—the youth leader allegedly became enraged. He reportedly grabbed the elderly man by the collar, hurled verbal abuses, struck him multiple times with a slipper. He also reportedly threatened to kill the tribal man.

Bhoi sustained multiple injuries in the attack. Eyewitnesses reportedly intervened and managed to save the elderly man from further harm from the accused.

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Later, the tribal man lodged a complaint with the Golamunda police station in this connection following which the police arrested Bagarti and produced him before the local court.

The incident has drawn sharp criticism from tribal rights groups and civil society members, who are demanding stringent action against the accused.