Lawyer-police spat: Police van set on fire in Cuttack

Cuttack: Amid the ongoing squabble between lawyers and police over thrashing of a lawyer, a PCR van, which was parked in front of the Revenue Divisional Commissioner's office in Cuttack, was set on fire today.

According to sources, a lawyer was allegedly thrashed by police personnel in Nayabazar area yesterday evening which has led to a standoff between the lawyers and police.

Yesterday, lawyer Debi Prasad Patnaik had an argument with some cops sitting inside a PCR van in connection with a road accident case. Subsequently, the argument turned violent and the policemen allegedly thrashed Patnaik.

A group of lawyers had filed a complaint and gheraoed Chauliaganj Police Station.

The members of Criminal Bar Association staged a road blockade today protesting flag march by police over yesterday's incident. However, the road blockade was lifted after flag march was stopped.

Odisha Bar Council also called for a cease-work strike across the state tomorrow protesting the incident.