Tension gripped the Bolangir Sadar Police Station on Monday after hundreds of residents from Kusmel panchayat staged a protest, alleging police inaction in a recent electricity wire theft case. The situation escalated following the detention of the village sarpanch by the police earlier in the day.
According to local sources, electric wires were reportedly stolen from the Kusmel panchayat area a few days ago. Residents claimed they had promptly informed the police, and the accused were brought to the police station. However, protesters alleged that the individuals were later released without stringent action, leading to growing dissatisfaction among villagers.
In response to the alleged lapse, residents had planned to stage a protest outside the office of the Bolangir Superintendent of Police (SP). The situation intensified after the Kusmel sarpanch, Kaustav Sahu, was brought to the Sadar Police Station, prompting widespread anger in the community.
As part of the protest, villagers gheraoed the Sadar Police Station and blocked the Bolangir–Patnagarh main road, disrupting traffic and causing inconvenience to commuters. Men and women participated in the demonstration, demanding accountability and action in the theft case.
To maintain law and order, heavy police deployment was made in the area. Senior officials reached the site and held discussions with the protesters to de-escalate the situation and restore normalcy. Protesters also later gheraoed the SP’s office in large numbers.
No official statement had been issued by the local police at the time of filing this report. Authorities are continuing to assess the situation.
It may be noted that similar protests have occurred in the past. In December last year, residents of Pattamundai in Kendrapara district had staged a large-scale protest over the alleged suicide of a woman school teacher, demanding swift police action and blocking roads as part of their agitation.
