In a major development following a tense standoff in Mayurbhanj district, police on Friday forwarded 34 individuals to court in connection with a violent road blockade that saw attacks on law enforcement personnel and vandalism of an official vehicle.
The incident unfolded in Sanaposi village under Tiring police station limits in Bahalda block, triggered by allegations of misconduct by a youth from the minority community in nearby Binjhua village against a minor Adivasi girl, Raimat Baske (a +2 student), who had come to visit relatives for the Adivasi Holi (Bahaparb) festival.
According to reports, the girl was allegedly subjected to inappropriate behaviour by the youth. Enraged villagers informed local police and demanded immediate arrest of the accused. Senior officers, including Additional SP Jadunath Jena, SDPO Birendra Senapati, Tiring IIC Prashant Kumar Jena, and Bahalda IIC Bhaskar Chandra Pradhan, reached the spot for discussions, but protesters remained firm on their demand.
On Friday, hundreds of villagers — including many women — carried several seriously affected young women on cots and blocked the Bahalda bypass at Jharadihi Chhak on the national highway, effectively halting traffic. Negotiations failed when a verbal exchange between a protester and police escalated the situation.
The crowd allegedly charged at police with sticks and rods, while women pelted stones, injuring several officers, including Inspector Jyotiprakash Swain from Rairangpur, Havildar Shubhendu Giri, Constable Pankaj Das, and reserve personnel Prashant Mahanta, Chittaranjan Sethi, Rajesh Saheb Sethi, and Gyanaranjan Samantara.
Protesters also overturned and damaged the vehicle of the Bahalda Tehsildar, who was on magistrate duty.
A case was registered at Tiring police station against more than 60 individuals under relevant sections for rioting, assault on public servants, and property damage. Of the 34 persons forwarded to court on Saturday, 28 were women and 6 men.
Police sources indicate that further arrests are expected as investigations continue. The incident has highlighted simmering tensions in the region over community issues and law enforcement responses. Authorities have appealed for calm while assuring strict action against the original accused in the misconduct case.
