Man dies as police, villagers clash in Orissa

BHUBANESWAR - One person was killed and several others were injured Monday after police opened fire to disperse villagers protesting against the death of a youth in Orissa’s Cuttack district, officials said.

“A 35-year-old man was killed in police firing. The police resorted to firing and baton charge after residents of Bagalpur village (some 20 km from here) blocked a road,” Inspector General of Police (central range) Lalit Das told IANS.

He said several people were injured.

“The police opened fire after protesters attacked them and pelted stones. Several police and government officials, including the local superintendent of police, were injured,” Das said.

According to villagers, a local youth was found dead near the village road Aug 19.

Although the villagers said he was murdered, police claimed the youth died in an accident.