Baripada (Odisha), March 13 At least 12 police personnel were injured, including three seriously, in an attack by a mob when law enforcement officers tried to disperse protesters who were blocking NH-220 in Odisha's Mayurbhanj district on Friday, a senior officer said.
The protest was triggered by a youth allegedly verbally abusing a girl in Binjhua village in the Tiring police station area on Thursday.
"A law and order situation was created in the village on Thursday, but it was resolved after the intervention of police officers," said Additional Superintendent of Police Jadunath Jena.
"However, more than 200 villagers, demanding justice, blocked the national highway near Behalda Bazaar on Friday, disrupting the movement of vehicles. When police asked them to lift the blockade, the mob attacked the personnel," he said.
A dozen police personnel were injured, including three seriously, Jena said, adding that the protesters later lifted the blockade.
A case has been registered at the Tiring police station, and some individuals have been detained for their alleged involvement in the attack, he added.