An Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) of police, Nabin Patel, who was assaulted by a mob in Dudukabahal village under Rajgangpur police limits in Sundargarh district, went missing on Saturday. An intense search operation has been launched to trace him.
IGP (WR) Yeshwant Kumar Jethwa said the incident occurred between 9.30 pm and 10 pm when a team from Lanjiberna police outpost went to the village to execute an arrest warrant.
He said the accused, who were arrested by the police, raised an alarm following which a mob of villagers assaulted the police team.
Jethwa said senior police officers have rushed to the area and efforts are on to trace the ASI.
Unconfirmed reports said the villagers tied down the ASI and threw him into a swollen water channel. An ODRAF team has been despatched to locate the ASI.