Baripada: The Rural police of Rairangpur in Mayurbhanj have served notices on 11 revenue inspectors and assistant revenue inspectors for allegedly obstructing vigilance sleuths in performing their duties on Saturday.

The officials had created problems when their colleague Dillip Patra, the revenue inspector of Bijatola, was trapped by anti-corruption officials for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 1,500.

Rairangpur sub-divisional police officer Amulya Kumar Dhar said a case was registered against the revenue officials under Section 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of duty), 342 (wrongful confinement) and 34 (criminal act with common intention) of the Indian Penal Code.

"Notices have been issued to 11 revenue officials, including revenue inspectors and assistant revenue inspectors," said Dhar.

"The police can issue notice for such offences for which the penal provision is jail term for up to seven years. If the case is charge-sheeted, the accused persons can obtain bail from the court," said an advocate.

The accused revenue inspectors and assistant revenue inspectors had prevented the vigilance unit from taking away the accused. The police had to intervene and escort the arrested officials to the local court.

Tiger causes panic

Residents of Nalco's Damanjodi township in Koraput were struck by panic after some residents claimed to have seen a tiger in the area. Koraput ranger Subhash Khuntia said it was confirmed that the animal was a hyena and there was no reason for panic.