Prime Accused of Phiringia PS Arson Nabbed from Phulbani

Phulbani: Biswaranjan Kanhar alias Bapi, the key accused behind the arson at Phiringia police station in Kandhamal district on August 5, was arrested by an investigating police team from Phulbani town on Sunday.

The total number of arrests in this case rose to 24, with Kanhar’s arrest.

According to investigating police officials, Biswaranjan had instigated others to ransack the Phiringia police station and set it on fire. He is a former sarpanch of Phiringia panchayat.

On August 5, a mob of angry villagers ransacked and torched Phiringia police station alleging that cops there were involved in the illegal ganja trade.

The police have booked as many as 40 people in connection with the mayhem.

Tapan Kumar Nahak, the former Inspector In-Charge (IIC) of Phiringia Police Station in Odisha’s Kandhamal district was suspended on Saturday by the Director General of Police (DGP) Sunil Bansal for his alleged involvement in marijuana smuggling.

Following the arson at the Phiringia police station by an angry mob, Nahak was earlier shifted to the Kandhamal district police headquarters.