Jajpur: Police in Odisha’s Jajpur district have arrested nine people after a violent clash between residents of two neighbouring villages under Panikoili police limits erupted over a minor dispute.
The confrontation involved villagers of Badabiruhaan and Shagadi, with tensions rising sharply over the weekend.
According to sources, the trouble began two days ago when water accidentally splashed onto one person while another was washing his face. What started as a heated verbal exchange quickly turned physical, leaving one individual injured. The personal altercation then drew in larger groups from both villages, transforming into a full-scale group clash.
Jajpur Road Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Sarat Chandra Patra confirmed that nine persons from both sides were taken into custody and remanded to judicial custody. “Police on patrol arrived promptly at the scene and controlled the situation. One person sustained minor injuries. Three cases have been registered and nine persons have been arrested. Prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) have been imposed to restore calm and prevent further unrest,” he told reporters.
Sources further stated that six platoons of police force have been deployed in the area and flag marches were conducted through both villages to reassure residents and reinforce the message that no one should take the law into their own hands.
Additional Tehsildar of Byasanagar Prasanta Puhan said that an appeal has been made on behalf of the administration to both villages for a peace committee to encourage dialogue and resolve the matter amicably.
