Udala, May 2: The police officials of Sarat Police station were attacked by the villagers for opposing their gathering for Chaiti festival celebrations at at Debanbahali village in Mayurbhanjh district last night, police said today.

The villagers had gathered last night for the celebration of the festival violating the Covid-19 guidelines issued by the state government. On being informed, the police officials reached the spot and objected them for violating the Covid-19 protocols. Irate over the incident, the villagers overpowered the police officials and thrashed them ruthlessly making them severely injured. They also damaged the police vehicle present there.

The ASI of the police station, Biswajit Das Mahapatra along with a homeguard and a constable sustained critical injuries and were admitted into Udala Hospital.

Further investigation is under way.