This Article is From Mar 18, 2011

Villagers attack police station, 37 arrested

Bhubaneswar: At least 37 people, including 10 women, were arrested following a clash between security personnel and local people who attacked a police station on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar on Thursday, alleging attempts to hush up a murder case.

Hundreds of people surrounded the police station at Chandaka highlighting police inaction in connection with the death of a person identified as Manas Mohapatra, a resident of Andharua village.

"The police were trying to hush up the case by showing it a case of accidental death," alleged Akshya Kumar Sethi, a local youth.

In a bid to disperse the mob, police lathi charged leaving many people injured. Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Himansu Lal also sustained injuries on the head in stone pelting.

"Police chased the villagers away as they hurled stones at the police force," Lal said adding that the agitators also ransacked the police station and damaged records.

Mohapatra, a land broker, was found dead near the village on March 12. While the police claimed it to be a case of accident, his family members and local people suspected it to be a case of murder.
.