Bhubaneswar, Jan. 12 -- Tension prevailed at Bolangir Sadar Police Station as hundreds of incensed men and women from Kusmel panchayat staged a protest on Monday, accusing the police of inaction in an earlier electricity wire theft case in Bolangir district.

According to sources, electric wires were allegedly stolen in the Kusmel panchayat area a few days ago; following which, villagers had informed the police. Protesters alleged that the accused were brought to the Sadar Police Station but were later released by the police without taking any strict action, triggering resentment among local residents.

Subsequently, angered by the alleged police negligence, villagers had previously planned to gherao the Bolangir Superintendent of Police ...