Rairangpur: Tension ran high among villagers over the felling of a tree by the railway officials and forest department. This incident has taken place in Badampahad police limits of Mayurbhanj district.According to sources, the villagers of Chanua had been worshiping an ancient mango tree which was later cut down by the government officials.
According to the Railway officials, the tree was causing damage to the shed of the railway station hence they had ordered to cut it off.
The administration had not inquired into the history of the tree before chopping it off.
The act of cutting down the tree without proper permission or inquiry has enraged the villagers said Madhuchandrika, a local resident.
The irate villagers have taken the woodcutters, railway officials and other officials present there into captivity.
Rairangpur forest-division ACF, Navin Charan Nayak visited the scene to pacify the angry villagers, but he was also held captive overnight.
The angry villagers were then asked to calm down by the Badampahad police, but they insisted to meet the Railway section officer before releasing the captive officials and the woodcutters.
Prasanta Patnaik