Odisha: Mob attacks police station in Gajapati to free ganja smuggler

BERHAMPUR: Three police personnel were injured after a mob of 200-odd people ransacked the police station at Adava in Gajapati district on Tuesday demanding release of a person from Jharanapur, who was arrested on Monday on charges of illegal possession of ganja.
The mob from Jharanapur damaged the glass door and flower pots of the police station. Police on Monday arrested one Biswanath Bhuyan of Jharanapur village, while he was waiting for a vehicle to transport 270 kg of ganja contained in six plastic drums near the village.
Police registered a case against Bhuyan for ganja smuggling and produced him in court on Tuesday. The villagers alleged that Bhuyan was arrested in a false case and demanded his unconditional release. They alleged that police entered the village and harassed innocent people suspecting them to be ganja smugglers.
Forces and senior police officers rushed to the spot and controlled the mob.
"The situation is now under control and we are trying to convince the irritated people," said SP (Gajapati) Jayaram Satapathy. He rushed to the spot and held discussions with villagers at Mohana. He asked the villagers to maintain peace in the area and allow the cops to discharge their duty. "We are inquiring into the matter and action will be taken against those involved in vandalising the police station," said a police officer.