BHUBANESWAR: The Commissionerate of Police has identified two associates of Ranjan Das who were involved in the attack on a photojournalist on July 7.
The duo had assisted Das in dragging the journalist, Jitendra Mohanty, into a room and assaulting him. They threatened Mohanty at gunpoint against publishing the photographs of Das’s house which was under CBI scanner during a raid over chit fund probe on the same day.
They have been identified as Smruti Ranjan Mangaraj and Ananga Udaya Baliarsingh of Kantia Upara Sahi under Jatni police limits. Their visuals were captured on camera of a local news channel. Police ascertained their identity by verifying registration number of a bike which they used to escape.
On Monday, Jatni police had conducted simultaneous raids at different locations in Kantia Upara Sahi to arrest them, but the duo remained untraceable.
Police Commissioner RP Sharma said, “We have clues about their hideout and separate teams have been formed to trace the accused.”