Section 144 of CrPC was clamped at Chari Chhak here on Saturday morning as locals torched a police van following a clash between them and cops.
A social activist, Santosh Pradhan, had staged hunger strike here from November 18 demanding fulfilment of a seven-point charter of demands, including development of the Chari Chhak Community Health Centre (CHC). Pradhan was picked up by police from the spot on Thursday night.
Demanding release of Pradhan and appointment of doctors at the CHC, locals had been staging road blockade at Chari Chhak since then. The blockade was withdrawn on Saturday afternoon following the Puri district administration’s talks with the locals. District SP Dr Sarthak Sarangi and Sub-Collector Madhusudan Das were present.
When police had reached the spot on Saturday morning and tried to persuade the locals to withdraw the stir, a clash ensued between them. locals hurled stones and empty bottles at the cops and set a police van on fire. About ten police personnel were injured in the attack.
Police said Pradhan has been admitted to the Puri District Headquarters Hospital as his health condition deteriorated during his fast-unto-death.