Sunabeda police have filed charges against approximately 30 residents of Kakigaon for allegedly blocking National Highway 26. The villagers disrupted traffic to protest after a serious road accident.
Details of the Incident
The protest was sparked by the death of Yudhistir Konta, a 42-year-old man who was injured in a collision near Sunabeda Women’s College on April 26. He was struck by a speeding vehicle and later succumbed to his injuries at AIIMS Bhubaneswar on Wednesday.
Protest Actions
- The march started at noon on Wednesday and continued into the night.
- Protesters demanded the immediate arrest of the car’s owner and driver.
- Efforts by police to persuade the demonstrators to disperse were unsuccessful.
The blockade caused significant delays, stranding hundreds of commuters. To restore order, police used force around 1 am on Thursday.
Outcome of the Protest
Traffic flow returned to normal by approximately 3 pm following the removal of protesters. Sunabeda police registered two separate cases against those involved in the blockade.
Official Statements
Sunabeda SDPO Sumitra Jena stated, “We have registered cases against 30 persons of Kakigaon for their unlawful act of blocking the highway and harassing the public. They will be arrested soon.”
Koraput SP Rohit Verma mentioned a review of the incident would be conducted to prevent similar situations in the future. Authorities are focusing on maintaining order and ensuring public safety on highways.
