Forty-three persons, who had been arrested on Saturday following a clash between the police and tribal persons in the Chhend area here, were forwarded to court on Sunday. The situation still remains tense in the area but is under control. Six platoons of police force have been deployed on the spot.
On Saturday wee hours, a police team had gone to Bagbudi slum area near Chhend to arrest four persons allegedly involved in masterminding Chhend Mausimaa temple occupation incident, which had sparked ethnic tension in the area. But while the police team was returning after arresting four persons, hundreds of locals armed with weapons attacked the cops and also took away one of the arrested persons from the police van, following which a clash occurred between the police and tribals. Fourteen policemen, including a DSP Ranjit Kumar Bhoi, were injured while five tribals received minor injury.
The police arrested 43 persons from the spot for instigating violence against the police.“We have forwarded all the 43 arrested persons to court. Presently, the situation is under control but we keep a strict vigil on the situation,” said Rourkela Additional Superintendent of Police Santosh Mohanty.Sources said tribals are contemplating to hold a rally here on Monday opposing declaration of Corporation status to the Rourkela Municipality.