Phulbani: An angry mob Saturday set Phiringia Police Station on fire and roughed up the SDPO along with other officials in Odisha’s Kandhamal district, said a source.
According to the source, the locals were angry over police’s alleged involvement in ganja peddling in the area. They alleged that IIC (Inspector-in-Charge) of Phiringia Police Station Tapan Kumar Nahaka and his staff were involved in ganja smuggling.
The source further stated that Phiringia sarpanch, a former sarpanch and locals had apprehended a police vehicle laden with ganga on its route to allegedly sell contraband to a peddler August 3.
The locals at that time had recorded a video of the incident and forwarded that to Kandhamal SP. They had demanded action against the IIC and other staff involved in smuggling. After no action was taken, the locals protested and staged a road blockade. Later the protest took an ugly turn and the irate mob created a ruckus and set the police station on fire.
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Southern range IG Satyabrata Bhoi informed said that the situation on the spot is currently under control and that sufficient police personnel have been deployed to ensure law and order in the region.
Bhoi added that a police inquiry will be conducted into the matter despite the fact that police have captured 30 tonnes of ganja in Kandhamal district this year.
PNN
