Berhampur, Oct. 22: Six policemen, including an inspector, were injured when a mob, protesting against black marketing of kerosene at cyclone-hit Chikiti Penth in Ganjam district, last evening clashed with the cops.

The injured included inspector in charge of K. Nuagaon police station K.N. Rao and two assistant sub-inspectors G.K. Panda and B.K. Mahanty. “We have arrested eight persons for indulging in rioting,” Berhampur police superintendent Aniruddh Singh said today.

The trouble started when some BJD supporters were going towards Andhra Predesh in an autorickshaw loaded with kerosene on Sunday last. Some youths nabbed them at Khatara nullah near Chikiti Brahma Nagar, where the kerosene was being unloaded.

Yesterday, hundreds of people demonstrated in front of the Chikiti Notified Area Council office demanding arrest of the kerosene dealer. The irate public also resorted to roadblock by burning tyres and cutting trees on roads at Chikiti Pentha, Karabalua and Sana Bazar.

“People had to return empty handed from the dealer’s shop earlier and they were told that there was no kerosene supply. But after a few hours, the same kerosene was being transported to Andhra,” said local resident Jiban Sahu.