Sambalpur, April 15: Police today arrested former Sambalpur MLA Jaynarayan Mishra for allegedly brandishing a sword during religious procession in the city and violating the prohibitory orders.

He was remanded in judicial custody after his bail plea was rejected.

Mishra, a BJP leader, allegedly violated the law and wielded sword at three locations of the city during the procession that took place yesterday even after the police, official sources said, had advised him not to do so.

The police today registered three cases against the former MLA at Dhanupali police station and Town police station of the city. He has been charged under the Arms Act, too.

Mishra allegedly displayed the weapon at Ram temple in the Brooks Hill area and near Zilla High School Chhak in the Dhanupali police station limits, besides at the venue near Peerbaba Chhak in the Town police station jurisdiction.

"The procession was peaceful. No one displayed arms and weapons during the procession. However, former MLA Jaynarayan Mishra violated Section 144-A and displayed the weapon at three places. We arrested Mishra after gathering adequate evidences," said district superintendent of police Akhileshvar Singh.

The district administration had clamped the prohibitory orders in the city, restricting assembly of people and also prohibiting display of arms and weapons during the Hanuman Jayanti procession.

Mishra, however, said the arrest was "politically motivated and he has been arrested at the behest of the BJD". He accused the police of creating disturbance. Mishra was taken into custody from the BJP party office located near the District Rural Development Agency office in the city.

The arrest, as expected, had created tension in the city. BJP workers staged protests and tried to stop the vehicle, in which Mishra was being taken to court, at Nelson Mandela Chhak.

However, the police managed to take the vehicle to the Sadar Court office. But, the BJP workers staged protest outside it and raised slogans against the police and the district administration. The BJP workers also blocked the National Highway No. 6 at Ainthapali Chhak. They also blocked the Ainthapali Chhak-Golebazar Chhak road at Lakshmi Talkies Chhak. However, later the roadblock was withdrawn.

BJP district president Nauri Nayak said: "We strongly condemn the arrest of Mishra. This is a conspiracy. By arresting Mishra, they want to suppress our voice." The party has given a call for a dawn-to-dusk strike in the city tomorrow.

Senior BJP leader Suresh Pujari also condemned the district administration and the police for the arrest of Mishra.