Balasore, Aug. 17: A mob of nearly 100 people from Somnathpur Industrial area today ransacked the district collector’s office and allegedly assaulted a staff member in protest against “police inaction” relating to the death of a 22-year-old youth.

The government employee, 55-year-old Sridhar Panda, is undergoing treatment at district hospital. The incident occurred when the collector was reviewing the district’s law and order situation at a meet in which police officers were present. Six persons were arrested for ransacking the office and injuring a government employee.

“They have been arrested on charges of causing damage and disruption to government establishment and assaulting a staff member,” Rashmirekha Mhalik, inspector in-charge of Sahadevkhunta police station, said. An eyewitness said that the “mob suddenly entered the office. Before we could react, they started ransacking furniture and papers”.

One Mir Mustaq was found dead on August 15. His body was recovered from the house of one Arshad Ali. Mustaq’s parents alleged that their son was electrocuted allegedly by Ali’s family members as he had been in love with Ali’s daughter. Ali’s family members strongly opposed to this relation.

Earlier, the villagers had intervened and reprimanded both the boy and the girl. Moreover, they alleged that the autopsy report of the deceased had been tampered with.

“Based on the allegations and prima facie evidence, we have arrested three persons and forwarded them to court. The arrested are Arshad Ali, his daughter and his son,” said K.C. Parida, sub-division police officer, Sadar.