The local police in Odisha’s troubled Kandhamal district on Monday arrested Junus Pradhan, a block chairman, for his alleged links with the Maoists operating in the backward district.

Pradhan reportedly belonged to the ruling Biju Janata Dal(BJD). He has also been charged with playing a key role in the landmine blast by naxals in the district last Thursday, which left three police personnel dead and three others injured. He was picked up from his residence at Daringibadi on Monday morning. “We have sufficient evidence about his naxal links and his role in the landmine blast last Thursday. He is being interrogated for further information,” Kandhamal district SP said.