19 arrested, 50 others booked in Phiringia police station vandalism case

As many as 19 people have been arrested while cases have been registered against 50 others in connection with the vandalism of Phiringia police station in Kandhamal district.

According to sources, the police have registered cases against some local leaders including Phiringia block vice-chairperson Ajit Sahoo, local sarpanch and samiti members.

Besides, cases were registered against Ratanga samiti member Biranchi Mallick, Nuapadara sarpanch Bhabani Shankar Kanhar, Bhrungijodi sarpanch Asia Kanhar, Phiringia samiti member Mausumi Kanhar, Kelapada samiti member Bairagi Kanhar, Sadidinga sarpanch Lasan Kanhar, Uparapanga sarpanch Susanta Kanhar and Phiringia sarpanch Jalandhar Kanhar.

Moreover, action was also initiated against three cops who were allegedly involved in the smuggling of ganja.

While inspector-in-charge (IIC) Tapan Kumar Nahaka has been transferred and posted at the district police headquarters, two accused home guards were disengaged from service.

The action against the three came after locals alleged that the trio used to sell narcotic substances seized by the police.

Meanwhile, Ramesh Kumar Pradhan has been appointed as the new IIC of the police station.

Notably, a group of people on Saturday ransacked and torched the police station during a protest against the alleged involvement of policemen in the smuggling of ganja. A DSP rank officer has been probing into the incident.

All shops and business establishments at Phiringia remained closed since Saturday evening as the owners are afraid of being attacked.