Rayagada: A large number of irate people armed with traditional weapons laid siege to Kashipur police station in Rayagada district of Odisha on Thursday while protesting the arrest of a local man.
As per preliminary information, the protesters stormed the police station at Kashipur and burnt tyres on its premises demanding immediate release of the arrested person.
Sources said the locals, mostly belonging to tribal communities, were protesting alleged attempts by a contractor firm to acquire Sijamali mines in the district. They staged a protest on Wednesday, following which one of the protesters, identified as Kartik Nayak, was arrested from the Sunger area.
Angry over Kartik’s arrest, over 600 irate locals brandishing traditional weapons laid siege to Kashipur police station. They staged a demonstration by burning tyres on the premises of the police station and demanded immediate release of Kartik.
As tension prevailed in the area, the district administration took immediate steps and deployed adequate police force to bring situation under control. Senior officials also visited the spot to make an effort to the protestors.