Police atrocities leave one more dead in Athgarh, Orissa

June 16: On Thursday night it was a nightmare for the family of Rohit Behera, a resident of Athgarh, Orissa, whose son was killed by the district police official for no purported reasons.

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Reportedly, the police after entering Rohit Behera’s home arrested his son Bhaskar and mistook him for an accused. Bhaskar was beaten severely, which left him senseless for some time. After a brutal interrogation he was taken to the Athgarh hospital where he was declared as being brought dead.

The annoyed locals of Rajnagar village in response blocked the road and demonstrated for long hours in front of the Athgarh police station. Only after the district collector’s assurance for an inquiry and proper action against the officers involved; the villagers had lifted the road blockade.

The administration has ordered for a probe and till then the assistant Sub-Inspector of the police N.K.Das, who was in charge, has been placed under suspension.

Last month a leading national newspaper of India had reported 11 custodial deaths in previous six years in Orissa and some of them are under investigation. In most of the cases the police has been always found trying to prove the killings as suicide cases.

Whether this recent case or any previous cases have any connection but these are clear indications of police negligence. The district or state administration has done very little to stop these practices. There has been suspension of few officers and ordering of probes which unfortunately have led to nothing conclusive.

People from different areas of the state have constantly complained against such human right activities. The government at this point of time needs to consider all possible measures and devise new methods to punish the culprits.

Instead of politicizing the whole issue, both the opposition and the present BJD-BJP government of the state has to take strict measures that will remind the duty to those senseless police officials otherwise it may leave many people on death beds following the police atrocities.