Bhubaneswar, March 9 (IANS): At least six people were arrested for attacking policemen during an anti-liquor protest in Odisha's Kendrapara district, police said on Monday.
More than one thousand residents carried out an anti-liquor rally in Namatara village on Sunday, about 160 km from Bhubaneswar. They also ransacked a wine shop, police said.
When police tried to prevent them, villagers pelted stones and attacked them. The protesters also set fire to a police jeep and damaged a fire brigade vehicle.
"Police were compelled to resort to a baton charge and blank firing to disperse the protesters," Superintendent of Police Satish Kumar Gajbhiye told IANS.
At least 13 policemen, including the inspector-in-charge of a police station and nine villagers were injured in the incident, he said.
"The situation remained tense but under control. We have arrested six villagers for attacking police," he said.