CUTTACK: Angry protesters attacked the offices of leading Odia daily 'Samaj' at different places in Odisha on Tuesday following the publication of a photograph accompanying a report about Prophet Mohammed's birthday.

Hundreds of people belonging to the Muslim community held demonstrations outside the daily's office in Cuttack. Some of them even threw stones at the office. Reports of similar protests came in from Balasore, Rourkela, Kendrapada and other places.

Police resorted to a lathicharge after protesters burnt down the printing press of the daily In Balasore. In Rourkela too the newspaper's office was set afire.

In Cuttack police arrested a sub-editor of the daily. "We arrested the journalist following a complaint," said police commissioner R P Sharma.

"We don't have any intention to hurt the religious sentiments of any community. We offer an unconditional apology for the mistake. Departmental action has been taken against the person responsible for it," said Suresh Mantri, general manager of the daily.