Puri: A police van was set afire by locals after clash with cops at Charichhak bazaar near Nimapara in the district today following which prohibitory order under section 144 of Cr PC has been clamped.
The market area at Charichhak has turned into a virtual battle ground in the morning when the locals pelted stone at security forces and set the government vehicle on fire after police allegedly lifted social activist Santosh Pradhan forcefully, who sat on a fast-on-to death over disrupting health services in the area.
Nimapada SDPO Arun Jena and local sub-collector also met him yesterday and requested for the same on the ground that his health condition has deteriorated.
Police claimed that they have only persuaded the social worker to have food and water. After his health condition worsens, he has been admitted to district headquarters hospital, police added.