Bhubaneswar, Aug 25 (IANS): A BJP leader who went on hunger strike a day ago demanding the arrest of those involved in the murder of a Hindu leader in Odisha was moved Sunday to a hospital after his health deteriorated, a party leader said.

Ashok Sahu, 60, launched the protest at Phulbani town in Kandhamal district, about 200 km from here. He was shifted to Sriram Chandra Bhanja medical college and hospital at Cuttack, Bharatiya Janata Party vice president Jual Oram told IANS.

"He was shifted after a cardiac problem. His condition is now stable. His hunger strike, however, continues," Oram said.

Sahu has demanded the arrest of the main accused and all those who conspired in the killing of Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati and his four aides in Kandhamal Aug 23, 2008.

The murders had triggered widespread communal violence in which at least 38 people were killed.

Police arrested several people in connection with the crime and filed a chargesheet the following year. But Sahu alleged the main accused and all those who conspired in the killings were still at large.