Berhampur, July 14: Tension still prevails in Kodala following Wednesday’s group clash, which claimed two lives.

Additional director general of police Sanjiv Marik, who has arrived at the spot to take stock of the situation, said: “The situation is under control, but tense.”

“We have registered a total of eight cases and detained 50 persons. We are interrogating them. We would release all the people who were not involved in the clash,” said the additional DGP. Marik, however, admitted that police negligence caused the clash. “It is for this reason that we have suspended two police officers including Chhatrapur sub-divisional police officer P.K. Jali and inspector in-charge of Kodala police station, Paramananda Sahu,” he said.

“We are keeping a strict vigil on the situation. The prohibitory order under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code is in force and, if necessary, we will re-impose night curfew in the area,” said Ganjam collector, Dr. Kishan Kumar.

Meanwhile, all the male members of G Chachina have fled while the women folk of these villages have resorted to rasta roko since morning. Vehicular traffic has been completely paralysed within 8km on the Khallikote-Aska state highway as the supporters of detained persons have blocked the road in protest against the detention.

Ahalya Pradhan, a resident of G Chachina who along with others is resorting to road blockade, said: “The police forcibly took away my husband Rama Pradhan from our house during the wee hours today, though he is innocent. Many innocent people of our village fell victim to police brutality. I demand immediate release of my husband and other innocent people of my village. We would continue the road blockade till their release.”

G Chachina village with 400 households wore a deserted look since morning. In Marathi Sahi also the street looked isolated as the panicked villagers are taking shelter at the Kalyan Mandap.

The district administration has initiated steps to provide Rs 2 lakh ex-gratia assistance each to the nearest kin of the deceased from the Chief Minister Relief Fund. An amount of Rs 50,000 would be provided for the houses completely damaged and Rs 20, 000 for repair of the partially damaged houses, said the district collector. District administration had also taken steps to provide shelter to the families of Marathi Sahi, who had borne the brunt during the clash.