9 arrested for attack on cops in Chikiti

Brahmapur, Oct 22:

Nine persons were arrested for the attack on policemen during a protest dharna by people protesting the alleged diversion of kerosene meant for distribution among victims of Cyclone Phailin at Chikiti on Monday.

At least 10 persons, including four cops, were injured when police resorted to lathicharge to chase away a mob protesting the alleged diversion of kerosene.

A large number of people staged a dharna in front of the Chikiti civic body office demanding arrest of culprits and seizure of kerosene which they said were being allegedly diverted from nearby Kalabada village to Andhra Pradesh, police said.

As police intervened to disperse the protesters, they turned their ire on the cops after which police resorted to lathicharge, Berhampur Superintendent of Police, Anirudha Singh said.

The people alleged that they were attacked by three persons from Kalabada village when they were protesting against diversion of relief kerosene meant for cyclone affected people

The injured were undergoing treatment in the local hospital, he said.

Three platoons (about 100 personnel) of armed police were deployed in the area and the situation was under control, Singh said.

Meanwhile, the Ganjam district administration has issued order for arresting those indulging in diversion or black marketing of relief material under Essential Commodities Maintenance Act (ESMA).

District collector Kishan Kumar has advised people to speak to him directly on two helpline numbers whenever they found irregularities in distribution of relief material. (PTI)