The state government on Sunday ordered a crime branch inquiry into the attack on former MP and Utkal Bharat president Kharavela Swain at Kashipur in Rayagada district on Saturday.

The move follows widespread criticism of the attack.

DGP R.P. Sharma said: “The crime branch will conduct a thorough investigation into the incident to ascertain the motives behind the assault on the former MP.”

Sources said the crime branch would also look into similar attacks on Kharavela at Aul in Kendrapara in October and at Khaira in Balasore in first week of November.

“All the previous attack cases will also be investigated,” said Sharma.

Swain was abused and roughed up while speaking at a public meeting in Kasipur. Just minutes after Swain started speaking a group of locals started objecting and then one of them slapped the former MP. Police have arrested one Sumanta Nayak in this connection. In the video that has gone viral, the accused Nayak is seen assaulting Swain while shouting: “We know BJD, BJP and Congress. What’s this Utkal Bharat? Who has called you here?”

The crime branch will try to ascertain whether Nayak has any political connections or if he had any other motives.

Swain on Sunday met ASP Rayagada Patitpabana Chaudhury and informed him regarding the attack on him.

Rayagada police chief Rahul P.R. said: “We have arrested the main accused and are interrogating him. We will take him on remand for seven days. We are also looking into the response of the local police after Swain’s complaint.”

The police have intensified its operation to arrest the two other people involved in the attack. However, Swain has alleged the involvement of BJD workers behind the attack as he was speaking against the state government.

“Such attacks will not stop me. I will continue with my meetings. I am surprised that the police are yet to arrest the people who had earlier attacked me.”

Both the BJP and the Congress have come out in support of Swain and accused Biju Yuva Bahini, a government-sponsored voluntary body, of being behind the attack.

BJP spokesperson Bhrugu Bauxi Patra said: “One of the accused is the driver of a local BJD leader. He was also a member of Biju Yuva Bahini. However, his name was deleted from the list of its members yesterday (Saturday).”

Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan also condemned the attack and accused the BJD of being behind the attack. Congress MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati, too, targeted the BJD. However, BJD MLA Sanjay Dasburma said: “An attempt is being made to defame the BJD. It will not be tolerated. The party does not believe in any kind of violence. Action will be taken against people involved in the attack.”