Odisha : Mob sets fire to police station over custodial death
Bhubaneswar, Feb 9 (IBNS) : An angry mob on Friday torched a police station, beat up policemen and set vehicles on fire in Odisha's Sambalpur district after the custodial death of a tribal man, who was arrested in connection with a theft case, media reports said.
The man had allegedly committed suicide inside the lockup on Tuesday night.
Armed with iron rods and sticks, hundreds of local residents, including women, stormed the Ainthapali police station and vandalised it. They also pelted stones at policemen before setting the police station on fire. The mob also set ablaze several vehicles.
At least seven policemen reportedly sustained injuries in the attack.
According to reports, the police had to resort to lathi-charge to bring the situation under control.
Two policemen posted at the station have been suspended.
The violence took place fter Abinash Munda of Bhalupali village, who was detained in connection with a theft case, was found hanging inside the Ainthapalli police station.
Munda’s family alleged that he was killed by the policemen.
