Violence Erupts in Odisha: 22 Arrested After Police Clash During Festival

Clash During Festival Leads to Arrests

Berhampur: A total of 22 individuals, including 18 women, were taken into custody for allegedly attacking police officers in a coastal village located in Ganjam district, Odisha, according to a police official.

During a festival on Sunday night, a group of villagers clashed with police, resulting in injuries to at least six officers and damage to their vehicle as stones and bombs were hurled at them in Pati Sunapur village.

The conflict arose as one faction of the community supported the Jogamma Yatra festival, while another group sought to postpone it until the end of the month.

Protesters armed with weapons obstructed a key road to prevent the festival procession from proceeding on Sunday night.

Law enforcement arrived to mediate the situation, engaging with the demonstrators and an executive magistrate, but their efforts were met with hostility.

Despite attempts to de-escalate, the crowd continued to hurl insults at the police and block the road, with Superintendent of Police Saravana Vivek M. reporting that stones and petrol bombs were thrown.

As a result of the violence, six police officers sustained injuries, and a police vehicle was damaged.

The road was blocked for approximately three hours, causing significant disruption for local residents and hindering police operations.

By Monday, while the situation remained tense, it was reported to be under control.

Four platoons of security personnel were deployed to the village, and efforts are ongoing to apprehend additional suspects.