Bhubaneswar: Odisha government Saturday suspended the Naib Sarpanch Krushna Chander Jena of J Dangapadar Panchayat of Ganjam district for organising a religious congregation violating the Covid-19 rules. The congregation was for establishmet of a Hanuman temple.

Ten persons including Jena and the temple priest have been arrested in this connection.

The State Panchyat Raj minister, Partap Jena, said when the Corona virus is spreading menacingly in the State and Ganjam district is continuing to be hotspot, the religious congregation brings in more risk. Notwithstanding the seriouness of the situation the Naib Sarpanch had organised the congregation thus violating the Covid-19 rules. Following scrutiny of a video clip showing the religious function, the government has suspended the Naib Sarpanch, said the minister.