Bargarh, April 12: In a startling incident, villagers of Nityanandapur in Bargarh district unleashed violence upon police officers attempting to apprehend a ganja smuggler on Friday, leaving two officers injured and locking a female Inspector-in-Charge (IIC) in a room.

The confrontation began after police, led by IIC Suchismita Mohanty, raided the residence of Nanu Sahu in the early hours of Friday, following suspicions of his involvement in a marijuana exchange. Nanu had allegedly eluded police capture the previous day after they intercepted Jadunath Sribatsa and Dileswar Gahir in possession of three kilograms of marijuana, which they were purportedly receiving from Nanu.

As police attempted to take Nanu into custody, a mob comprising his family members and fellow villagers surrounded and assaulted the officers, prompting them to retaliate. Amidst the chaos, the IIC was confined to a room by the enraged villagers.

The situation was defused when Bilaspur Sarpanch Chaitaram Nayak intervened, calming the villagers and facilitating the rescue of the police team.

Following the incident, Sub-divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Bibhuti Bhushan Bhoi, along with officers from Paikamal and Jagadalpur police stations, arrested eight villagers, including several women, in connection with the violence. The suspects were subsequently presented before the court. Additionally, police seized six motorcycles, a car, and a tractor believed to be associated with the altercation.

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