Bhadrak: A team of police officials including SDPO, IIC was detained by the villagers while the later had visited the village to free a representative of a local sarpanch who was distributing money to woo voters in bypoll-bound Dhamnagar in Bhadrak.
The incident took place at Allinagar in Karada panchayat in Dhamanagar here.
The villagers had detained the representative of sarpanch for distributing money among people seeking vote for BJD. On being informed, a team of police led by the local SDPO rushed to the village and freed the man.
Villagers alleged that the police are working at the behest of the BJD. Instead of investigating the cash distribution incident, police released the accused, they alleged.
Tension erupted in the village following detention of police officials. Two platoons of forces have been deployed in view of tension.
In a related development, some SHGs were given cash of Rs 4000 each and were asked to vote in favor of BJD. The BJP alleged that the BJD is distributing money through SHGs.
A meeting of the SHGs was convened at Khadipada under Dhamnagar block, where each group was given an envelope containing Rs 4000 cash.
The BJD rubbished the allegation as baseless.
