Jagatsinghpur: A former panchayat member who is leading a campaign against JSW’s proposed steel plant in Dhinkia, was arrested on Friday following clashes between police and villagers during the demolition of betel vines.
Several villagers and policemen were injured in the clashes.
Debendra Swain, a former panchayat member who is opposing the project, was arrested after allegations that he led a group of armed miscreants to attack the police and government officials. The Additional SP confirmed his arrest.
Earlier, tension prevailed at the proposed steel plant site as some villagers protested the demolition of betel vines. They alleged that the district administration was carrying out the demolition of betel vines and eviction from houses forcibly for the project.
When the police deployed there tried to prevent them from marching forward, a scuffle ensued between the villagers including women and the police.
As the situation escalated with villagers reportedly turning violent, the police resorted to lathicharge to disperse them.
