Following intense public outcry and allegations of negligence, Arvind Sharan Mohanty, the Inspector-in-Charge (IIC) of Kudangari Police Station, has been abruptly transferred to the district headquarters. The action follows the tragic death of Subash Malik, a vegetable shopkeeper who perished after his stall in Baruni Bazaar was set ablaze late Friday night.
The incident sparked massive unrest, with locals burning tires and blocking roads for over three hours. Tensions escalated after reports surfaced that IIC Mohanty refused to visit the scene without a formal written complaint, a stance seen as a failure in crisis management.
In a bid to restore order, the district police have appointed Jagannath Panigrahi as the new IIC of Kudangari. While the administrative reshuffle aims to calm the volatile situation, locals continue to demand justice and a thorough investigation into the fire that claimed Malik's life.