Phiringia PS Burning Case: 21 Arrested, Section 144 Lifted, Normalcy Returning

Phulbani: Phiringia in Kandhamal district which saw mob violence and torching of the Police station a few days ago is fast returning to normalcy with the district administration and Police making special efforts. While the Section 144 has been withdrawn, all shops and establishments are open. Till now, 21 persons have been arrested in this connection and the IIC has been transferred to Phulbani. In some places, people fearing arrest have deserted their houses. Police is continuing its efforts through special teams to arrest the remaining people involved in the case. Speaking to media, SP Suvendu Kumar Patra has said that the main accused has not been arrested and the haunt is on to nab him. The Police has registered cases against 80 people under various sections of the IPC, the Arms Act, Destruction of Public Property and other acts.

While property worth lakhs of rupees has been destroyed in the police station due to the arson, the mob has taken away 200 bikes from the police station that were seized in different cases. Also, four cars, and more than 10 bikes were burnt during the violence, he informed.

The violent mob also either torched or taken away more than 10 tons of seized ganja from the police station. The SP also informed that some involved persons also fired from country made guns during the violence. Currently, more than 10 platoons of forces are deployed in Phiringia. The two injured police officials are being shifted to Bhubaneswar for treatment. Phiringia IIC Tapan Kumar Nahak has been transferred and the two home guards who were accused of smuggling ganja have been brought to Phulbani. Southern Range IG Satyabrata Bhoi, who reviewed the situation and investigations has said that the issue will be investigated. DSP Kamalakanta Panda is investigating the incident and Ramesh Kumar Pradhan has joined as the new IIC.