Phulbani: The number of arrests in the Phiringia police station arson case rose to 21 as two brothers were arrested today.

The accused have been identified as Chandrasekhar Behera and Bighneswar Behera.

The duo was apprehended from Gadarangia village under Tikabali police limits.

Earlier, police had arrested as many as 19 persons over their alleged involvement in torching the police station.

A total of 40 persons were booked in connection with the offence.

Hundreds of irate locals had on August 5 torched the police station over the alleged involvement of the cops in illegal trading of cannabis. They demanded strong action against the accused.

According to a source, a police vehicle loaded with ganja had gone to Budhakamba village on August 3 night to sell the contraband item to a peddler. This was noticed by Phiringia sarpanch Jalandhar Kahanr and former sarpanch Biswaranjan Kahanr. The duo along with several villagers intercepted the vehicle. They captured videos of the incident on their mobile phones.

Subsequently, the locals sent the videos to Kandhamal SP Suvendu Kumar Patra the next day demanding action against the policemen. As no action was taken in this regard, this irked the locals which later led to the violent incident.

The SP has transferred Phiringia police station IIC Tapan Kumar Nahaka to the District Police Headquarters over his alleged involvement in ganja trading. This apart, home guards Prashant Patra and Rabi Digal have been relieved from work over the same allegation.