Nuagaon: Tension prevailed at Badapada village under Odagaon police limits in Nayagarh district after six persons were rendered critical in a bomb attack following a dispute during sand smuggling Tuesday.
The injured have been identified as Nilamani Mahakud, Kulamani Mangal, Sukuria Bahuk, Kanhu Mangal, Anand Mahakud and Ramesh Sahu of Sundhijhola village. Nilamani and Kulamani were rushed to a private hospital in Bhubaneswar as their condition worsened. The other injured Sukuria, Kanhu, Anand and Ramesh were admitted to the district headquarters hospital.
The locals blamed it on the incompetency of the administration and the police and accused them of shielding the sand mafia. Demanding immediate arrest of the accused, irate locals staged a road blockade. A case was registered and a probe launched as locals demanded compensation and free medical treatment of the injured.
According to sources, Trinath Swain of Badapada village smuggled sand from a canal near Sundijhola village and sold at a premium. Locals opposed sand lifting and had earlier detained his tractor.
In revenge, Trinath attacked Ramesh Sahu, a local, while he was returning home from a local market. Injured Sahu escaped from his clutches and ran back to the village and narrated his ordeal to the villagers.
Angry villagers then set off to lodge a written complaint but were intercepted by Trinath who hurled bombs at the villagers. The condition of the injured remained critical while this report was filed.
“We will continue the agitation until Trinath is arrested,” locals remained adamant and continued the agitation. A police team was deployed to maintain law and order in the village while no one was arrested yet. Nayagarh SDPO and Odagaon IIC along with a police team reached the village and launched a probe. PNN
