Paralakhemundi: At least as 26 police personnel were injured after being attacked by irate villagers while returning from an operation with over 30 quintals of seized ganja in Mohana area of Odisha’s Gajapati district.
As per police sources, the incident took place at Pidika village under the jurisdiction of Mohana police station on Friday.
The villagers, armed with stones and sticks, reportedly damaged six police vehicles and blocked roads. The residents of Juba and Pidika villages held the 75-member police team hostage for several hours.
Notably, the police had conducted raids based on information about the storage of huge stock of ganja in Pidika village. A team led by the Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of R Udayagiri Amitabh Panda raided the village and reportedly seized around 30 quintals of ganja. While returning, the police personnel were attacked by the villagers, who also freed the seized ganja.
Villagers also pelted stones and bricks at the police while holding them hostage. However, the police personnel were rescued after additional force reached the village.
The injured personnel were taken to Mohana hospital and are now out of danger. While no arrest has been made so far, the district police stated that severe action would be taken against those responsible for the attack on the police.