19 villagers arrested in Phiringia PS torching case
In connection with the vandalism at Phiringia police station in Odisha's Kandhamal district two days ago, 19 people have been arrested and 50 others, including some local leaders, have been charged.
user1
Phulbani: In connection with the vandalism at Phiringia police station in Odisha's Kandhamal district two days ago, 19 people have been arrested and 50 others, including some local leaders, have been charged.
According to sources, the police swung into action and took immediate action against those involved in the Saturday incident in which irate villagers ransacked and set fire to the police station in Phiringia.
While cases have been filed against approximately 50 people, 19 of the accused have already been arrested, and efforts are underway to apprehend several others.
The police have filed charges against several local leaders, including the vice-chairperson of the Phiringia block, the local sarpanch, and samiti members. Nuapadara sarpanch, Bhrungijodi sarpanch, Sadidinga sarpanch, Uparapanga sarpanch, and Phiringia sarpanch have also been charged.
Aside from that, action has been taken against three police officers who were allegedly involved in ganja smuggling. Tapan Kumar Nahak, the inspector in charge of the Phiringia police station, was transferred on Sunday due to his alleged involvement in illegal cannabis trading.
While the IIC has been transferred to the District Police Headquarters, two home guards, Prashant Patra and Rabi Digal, have been suspended on the same charge.
The viral video pertaining to the alleged ganja trading is also being investigated, while police have asked locals to reopen shops in the area and maintain peace.
On Thursday, a police van carrying cannabis was stopped by Phiringia sarpanch Jalandhar Kanhar, a former sarpanch, and locals while on its way to Budhakambha village to allegedly sell the contraband to a peddler. They also videotaped the incident and sent the footage to the SP, who then took action against the three cops.
On Saturday, hundreds of Phiringia residents blocked the Phiringia-Balikuda road, demanding that the IIC, two home guards, and other police officers be charged with cannabis smuggling. As vehicular traffic on the route was disrupted, Phulbani SDPO Suprasana Mallick arrived with police and attempted to clear the road, which enraged them even more. They then attacked the SDPO, broke into the police station, ransacked it, and set it on fire. During the rampage, the seized cannabis, weapons, and a vehicle were also set ablaze.
