Bhubaneswar, Sept. 9: Balangir police today arrested Baijayanti Saraf, the zilla parishad member from Khaprakhol, on charges of assaulting district planning officer Mahendranath Munda.

Villagers had staged a demonstration, demanding immediate arrest of Saraf.

Balangir sub-divisional police officer Narayan Nayak said the police arrested zilla parishad member and produced him before court. "She has been booked for assaulting a government servant on duty and also for the violation of the SC, ST Atrocities (Prevention) Act," said Nayak.

Hundreds of tribal villagers owing allegiance to the District Adivasi Sangh and the Adivasi Kalyan Mahasangh gheraoed the district rural development agency conference hall where the zilla parishad meeting was taking place today morning.

Armed with bows, arrows and other sharp weapons, they demanded action against the woman leader and her husband for assaulting a government officer belonging to the scheduled tribe.

The Sangh members alleged that the zilla parishad member's husband Dhruba Charan Saraf had attacked and manhandled Munda a few days ago. They also alleged that no action had been taken against them.

The Sangh members took out a massive rally, holding traditional weapons as they tried to enter the conference hall. But, the cops on duty resisted them, which led to a clash.

Later, the Sangh members clashed with the police again at Balangir town police station, as they demanded Saraf be handed over to them immediately. They said they would decide the quantum of punishment for her for manhandling a tribal government servant.

As tension gripped the area, security forces were deployed to maintain law and order, and senior police officers rushed to assuage the irate villagers.

Later, district collector M. Mutthukumar also rushed to the spot and convinced the agitators to end their protest.

Braja Kishore Bhoi, a tribal leader, said: "It was totally a deliberate attack on a government officer who belongs to the tribal community. We oppose to it. We will never tolerate assault on a tribal officer."

Niranjan Bishi, another tribal leader, said the husband of the zilla parishad member had manhandled the government official at the District Rural Development Agency meet where the MP and MLAs were present.

"This surely goes to show that there is no respect for a government officer by the elected representatives of this state," said Bishi.