BERHAMPUR: Day after a team of cops was allegedly attacked by suspected ganja smugglers at Hatagaon in Boudh district, family members of arrested villagers staged protest outside the SP office on Sunday night, alleging that innocent persons were picked up during the subsequent police crackdown.
The protest took a political turn when Boudh MLA and government Chief Whip Saroj Pradhan reached the SP office and criticised the police action, leading to a heated exchange with senior police officials.
The BJP legislator said those responsible for attacking the police should face strict legal action but innocent villagers should not be harassed without evidence. He also objected to the alleged practice of picking up people from their homes in late-night raids.
According to police, 20 villagers of Hatagaon had been detained for their alleged involvement in the attack on cops. Of them, 16 were arrested and produced in court on Monday. The rest four villagers are being questioned.
Boudh SDPO Laren Routray said on Saturday night, Sadar police received information that a group of criminals had gathered at Hatagaon to plan a crime. Acting on the input, a five-member police team led by sub-inspector Yashobant Kanhar reached the village.
Although no suspects were initially found, police questioned a local youth, who allegedly revealed that ganja had been stocked in the village. When police personnel reached the location to verify the information, they were allegedly attacked by a large group of villagers.
The SDPO claimed the attackers were already aware of the police movement and assaulted the officers without any provocation. Despite sustaining injuries, the five policemen managed to escape. Based on the complaint lodged by SI Kanhar, police registered a case and detained 20 people after conducting overnight raids in Hatagaon.
Police said all the five cops suffered injuries in the attack. Of them, two constables are currently in hospital. While one has been admitted to VIMSAR, Burla in Sambalpur, the other is receiving treatment at Boudh district headquarters hospital.
Routray said nearly 30 people were involved in the attack on the police team. Efforts are underway to trace the remaining suspects.
