Police protection to Orissa officials, artists

Bhubaneswar, April 22 (IANS) Two senior officials and two film artists have got police protection in Orissa following threats from a gangster who allegedly killed Biranchi Das, the former coach of marathon kid Budhia Singh, an official said Tuesday.

Security has been provided to commerce and transport department secretary Priyabrata Patnaik, special relief commissioner Nikunja Kishore Sundaray, Oriya film star Leslie Tripathy and model Jubilee Sundaray, a police official said.

Armed policemen have been deployed at the houses of these people and security officers will accompany them wherever they go, he said.

The steps have been taken in view of the possible threat to their lives from Raja Acharya, who allegedly tried to woo Leslie Tripathy.

Biranchi Das was shot dead April 13 in Bhubaneshwar. Acharya is alleged to have killed Das outside a judo centre.