Sambalpur, Oct. 10: Residents of Khetrajpur area of the city today put up a roadblock, protesting against police inaction in tracing a 10-year-old boy, who has gone missing since yesterday.

Tension gripped the area as the residents blocked movement of vehicles. All shops and business establishments also remained closed in the area.

The roadblock was lifted after the police promised to take prompt measures to trace the boy, Vishal Gantayat.

Vishal, a Class IV student of a Hindi medium school, had gone to his friend’s house yesterday afternoon to play. Though people had seen him leaving his friend’s house, he did not return home.

“The boy, who stays at Pardeshi para in Khetrajpur, has been missing since yesterday. A missing complaint has been lodged in Khetrajpur police station. He had gone to play with his friends. But, he did not return home. The police should take prompt action to find the boy,” said Satya Naik, an agitator.

Reena Trivedi, councillor of the ward and former chairperson of the Sambalpur Municipality, who was present at the spot of agitation, said: “The police have given assurance that they would take required steps to find the boy.”

Sub-divisional police officer of Sambalpur P.K. Mohapatra said: “Vishal left his friend’s house around 12 in the noon yesterday. People of that locality had also seen him going towards his house. Vishal’s family members lodged a missing complaint with Khetrajpur police yesterday evening.”

“We are trying our best to trace the boy,” he said.