Sonepur: Tension prevailed at Papi village under Binika block of Odisha’s Sonepur district on Wednesday after villagers attacked police personnel when the cops had gone there to rescue some miscreants allegedly held hostage by locals.
According to sources, at least three police personnel were injured and a vehicle was damaged in the attack.
The incident took place after police arrived in the village follosing robbery attempt by some youths on the previous night.
Sources said farmers in the village were irrigating their fields late on Tuesday night when three youths allegedly attempted to rob them, targeting their mobile phones and motorcycles.
Hearing the farmers’ cries for help, villagers rushed to the scene and managed to overpower the youths. The three youths were allegedly beaten up and later locked in the village clubhouse.
As news of the incident spread, a police team from Binika police station reached Papi village on Wednesday morning. However, the situation quickly spiraled out of control when the villagers, angered by the previous night’s events, attacked the police personnel accusing them of trying to protect criminals. The clash left three police personnel injured, and the villagers also damaged the police van.
Following the clash, additional police force has been deployed in the area to maintain order and prevent any further flare up.