locals and police were engaged in a pitched battle as protest in front of a police station in Odisha turned violent after agitators clashed with the cops demanding arrest of a murder accused.
Scores of demonstrators were agitating in front of the Godipada Police Outpost under Odagaon block in Nayagarh district on Saturday morning demanding arrest of a murder accused. Moments later, they started pelting stones and hurled crude bombs at the outpost following which the police lobbed teargas shells to disperse the crowd.
Besides, the mob also damaged the police vehicles.
The top police personnel, including Nayagarh Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) and Additional Superintendent of Police (SP), reached the spot to bring the volatile situation under control. The cops also fired rubber bullets to calm down the situation, but in vain. However, the SDPO and ASP were also injured in the incident.
The locals were protesting the registration of a death as a case of unnatural death and subsequent release of the suspect.
According to reports, Rankanidhi Mohapatra’s body was found from under a bridge here on February 16. Family members had alleged that the youth was murdered by his maternal cousin.
The complainants sought the accused be booked. But, the cops allegedly registered an U/D case and did not arrest him.