Baripada: More than nine police personnel were injured after irate locals allegedly attacked them during a protest demanding justice for a tribal minor girl who was reportedly misbehaved with by a youth from another community in Binjua area under Tiring police limits in Mayurbhanj district Friday.
According to sources, the tension stemmed from an incident Thursday afternoon when the girl was returning home on a bicycle through Binjua market. The youth reportedly collided with her bicycle and fled the scene. Later, the girl’s family members and locals went to the youth’s house and created a ruckus. Despite the youth reportedly apologising, the situation did not calm down, with locals insisting that he return to the spot and apologise publicly. Cops intervened and rescued the youth, taking him to the police station
However, after midnight, a group of people allegedly went to the youth’s house, vandalised property and set it on fire. Fire service personnel were reportedly prevented from dousing the flames, though family members later managed to control the fire.
Meanwhile, locals and members of the tribal community gathered and blocked the Bahalda–Tiring Road on National Highway 220, demanding justice for the girl. Bahalda tehsildar and police personnel, who arrived to hold discussions with the agitators, faced the mob’s anger. Protesters vandalised the tehsildar’s vehicle and launched a sudden attack on police personnel, leaving more than nine of them injured.
Constable Prashant Mohanty sustained serious injuries and was shifted to Pandit Raghunath Murmu Medical College and Hospital in Baripada for treatment. Mayurbhanj Collector Hema Kanta Say and Superintendent of Police Varun Guntupalli later reached the spot and initiated efforts to bring the situation under control. Four platoons of police force were deployed, and more than 40 male and female protesters were detained. The situation was later brought under control.