A tribal man was injured in police firing and five police personnel were wounded in a clash between villagers and a police team in Odisha's Malkangiri district, police said today.
The incident took place when the police team raided an illegal cock-fight site involving betting by tribals at Sialimala village under the nearby Malkangiri Police Station last evening, a police officer said.
As the team led by Sub-Divisional Police Officer Siba Subramanyam seized all materials and cocks, the main organisers fled but the villagers attacked the cops with sticks and stones, he said.
In a bid to disperse the violent crowd and save themselves from the onslaught, the police opened fire in the air and one person identified as Ramesh sustained injury on his leg, the officer said adding the injured was undergoing treatment at a hospital here and his condition was stable.
Similarly, five police personnel were injured in the attack by the villagers. While Sub-Inspector Abinash Reddy and PSO Buddheswar Haldar were sent to MKCG Medical Collage, Berhampur, three others were given medical treatment at the district headquarters hospital here.
"The situation in the area is tense but under control. Police personnel are keeping a close vigil to prevent any further trouble," a police officer said.
Additional forces have been deployed in the area as a precautionary measure.
