Boudh: Three police personnel were injured, one of them critically, after a police team was allegedly attacked during a raid against an illegal ganja trafficking network in Boudh district, triggering a major police crackdown and protests over the detention of local residents.
According to police sources, a five-member team from Boudh police station had gone to Hatgaon village on Sunday to conduct a raid against suspected ganja traffickers when it allegedly came under attack from members of the ganja mafia. Three policemen sustained serious injuries in the incident and were admitted to the Boudh District Headquarters Hospital. One of the injured officers, whose condition was stated to be critical, was later shifted to Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (VIMSAR), Burla, for advanced treatment.
Following the attack, the police launched a late-night operation in Hatgaon, carrying out extensive house-to-house searches. More than 24 persons were detained and brought to the police station for questioning as part of the investigation.
The operation, however, sparked controversy after allegations surfaced that several students and other innocent villagers had been detained without justification and that motorcycles belonging to local residents were seized during the searches.
On Monday, family members of the detained persons staged a protest outside the office of the Superintendent of Police (SP) in Boudh, demanding their immediate release and alleging harassment by the police. The demonstration led to tension in the area.
Boudh MLA Saroj Pradhan reached the SP office after learning about the protest and interacted with police officials. During the discussions, he questioned the basis on which the detainees had been brought to the police station and later spoke with the SP over the phone. The legislator said strict action should be taken against those responsible for attacking the police team but stressed that innocent people should not be subjected to harassment during the investigation.
Pradhan also informed protesters that the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of the Southern Range would personally visit Boudh to conduct an impartial inquiry into the incident.
The attack on the police team and the subsequent allegations over the crackdown have generated widespread discussion in the district, with residents closely watching the outcome of the proposed DIG-level investigation.
