Section 144 Imposed in Odisha's Kandhamal District After Mob Set Police Station On Fire

A violent mob set the Phiringia police station on fire and looted weapons and articles in Odisha's Kandhamal district on Saturday.  

This horrifying event resulted in injuries to several individuals, including Sub-divisional Police Officer Suprasanna Mallick, Sub-inspector Jali, five other police officers, and the local magistrate, known as the Tahasildar. 

Furthermore, a couple of media persons also got caught in the chaotic situation and suffered injuries. The injured police officers, the local magistrate, and the media persons have been admitted to the district hospital at Phulbani for medical treatment.

In response to the tragic incident, SP Subhendu Kumar Patra, the Superintendent of Police in Kandhamal district, is actively supervising the situation on the ground. Additionally, the IG (Inspector General) of southern zone Odisha, Satyavrata Sahu, has also reached the spot to assess the situation. After carefully evaluating the situation, he asserted, “We will take strong action against the culprits.” 

To maintain law and order as well as prevent further escalation of violence, authorities have imposed Section 144 in the affected area. Further, a restriction has been placed on vehicular movement. Shops and business establishments have been asked to remain closed until the situation stabilises to ensure public safety.

As the manhunt operation continues in the Kandhamal district, there has been a heavy deployment of police at the spot, with approximately 20 platoons, along with personnel from the DVF (District Voluntary Force), CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force), and even BSF (Border Security Force) units.

Throughout the night, the police conducted raids in various locations to track down those responsible for the attack on the police station and the subsequent violence. As a result, more than 30 people, including three women, have been detained. 

The violent incident in Kandhamal arose from an alleged cannabis sale involving police officers a few days before the incident. The reported cannabis sale led to residents demanding punishment against the officers involved. 

As tensions escalated, the residents then barricaded State Highway No. 1 near Block Office Phiringia as a form of protest. However, the situation turned violent when the authorities attempted to disperse the group.

                                                                                                                                      

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