Police on Saturday arrested 29 persons in flood-affected Khurda district on the charge of blocking road, obstructing relief operations and clashing with the police.
The police said these persons indulged in pelting stones at them, set a multi-utility vehicle on fire and obstructed ODRAF personnel from carrying out relief and rescue operations.
Around 400 cyclone and flood-affected victims had blocked the National Highway-5 on Friday evening near Ugratara village. The victims who were demanding relief clashed with the police when the latter tried to forcibly remove them from the road. The police resorted to mild lathi-charge to disperse them.
Villagers, on the other hand, alleged that more than 50 persons, mainly women, sustained injuries due to the police action. They alleged that they were not provided enough relief materials and now heavy rains made their lives further miserable with no official help in sight.