Berhampur: BJD, Ganjam unit, on Thursday demanded release of persons in Pati Sunapur who were arrested for allegedly assaulting police.Party leaders, including former MLAs R C Choupatnaik, Bikram Kumar Panda, Berhampur mayor Sanghamitra Dalei, Bhrugu Boxipatra, and several others, met the SP (Berhampur) and sub-collector (Berhampur).They appealed to the officers to restore peace in the village and release the arrested persons, including 18 women, said Choupatnaik.Police on Monday arrested 22 people, including 18 women, for allegedly assaulting police and blocking the roads, demanding deferment of Yogamma Yatra, which commenced on Sunday. The five-day yatra got over on Wednesday.BJP MLA (Chikiti) Manoranjan Dyansamantara said police took action against persons involved in attacking them. “There is no need to politicise the issue. Let police have a free hand to take action against persons who take the law into their own hands,” he said. Police said the main culprits are still at large and they are searching for them. The situation in the village is under control, and four platoons of forces have been deployed, said police.