Sajanagarh: The alleged molestation of a tribal woman by four forest staff in Nilagiri area of Balasore district took a serious turn Thursday when hundreds of tribals including women armed with traditional weapons blocked the State Highway-19 at Sajanagarh Chhak for hours.
Vehicular movement was disrupted for several hours since morning. The tribals were agitated over the denial of molestation charge by the forest department. The officials had rather slapped cases against them, the tribals fumed.
The incident had taken place at Tenda village in Nilagiri block April 20 night.
Hundreds of tribals had come from Tenda, Banthiapada, Sialaghati, Jamaghati, Garadi and other nearby villages.
Convener of Jungle Jibika Suraksha Mancha, Ratha Singh, and ex-MLA Pradeepta Panda, KC Pur sarpanch Mahindra Singh, Telipal sarpanch Srel Baske and CPM leader Jyotirmayee Rout were in the forefront of the agitation.
Two platoons of police force were deployed at the place with Nilagiri IIC, the SDPO, Remuna IIC and several other police officials being present.
The road blockade was later withdrawn after sub-collector Aboli Sunil Naravane and tehsildar Manorama Bhuyan held talks with the agitating tribals over certain issues like seizure of venison from the house of Latu Singh and denial of allegation off molestation by the forest staff.
The forest department had earlier refuted the allegation of molesting the tribal woman.