Nine held for attacking police personnel in Orissa

The incident occurred during a dance show by a couple, of which the woman was "scantily dressed", at the famous Kuakhia Melan (Congregation of Radha Krishna idols in spring season) last year, the sources said.

The dance was performed in front of the deities of Radha-Krishna carried by people in a decorated palanquin at Choramuhan village.

As onlookers passed obscene comments on the woman for her dress, the organisers of the programme protested and a scuffle ensued, the sources said.

When the police intervened, the dancer side people outnumbered the police personnel and attacked them with sticks which were part of the procession.

Nine policemen received serious injuries including the Kuakhia Police Station inspector-in-charge, Atulkrishna Das.

A larger police contingent raided the Choramuhan village in the wee hours Saturday and arrested nine people.

The arrested persons were sent to jail after their bail pleas were rejected by a local court.