Odisha: Irate locals set police station ablaze alleging ganja peddling

The mob was agitated after the police asked them to disperse. The sub-divisional police officer (SDPO) sustained injuries in his head. Several other police personnel were also injured and hospitalised.

According to the protesters, a group of villagers detained a police van loaded with ganja while it was on its way to Budhakambha village to allegedly sell the contraband to a smuggler on Thursday. The villagers shot videos which they sent to higher authorities urging action against the IIC and his associates. They staged a protest on Saturday due to inaction from the district police authorities.

Southern Range IG Satyabrata Bhoi, who rushed to the scene along with Kandhamal SP Suvendu Kumar Patra, said adequate force has been mobilised to maintain law and order.

“We have assured the locals that if any police personnel will be at fault, action will be taken accordingly. But we are also suspecting the role of Ganja mafias behind the rampage as a reaction against seizure of the contraband,” he told The Indian Express.

He also warned action against the locals involved for ransacking the police station and thrashing police personnel.