Buguda: Buguda police station IIC Rama Chandra Biswal was Thursday transferred to the district reserve police office for his alleged involvement in the assault on a lawyer on the police station premises.
DIG (southern range) Asish Singh transferred Biswal and asked the SP (Ganjam) Brijesh Rai to submit a report on the role of the IIC in the incident. The DIG also directed the SP to supervise the cases registered relating to the incidents, while a DSP-rank officer will investigate the cases.
At least four cases and counter cases have been registered relating to the incident. The cases were registered against the IIC and the advocate.
“Further steps will be taken after getting the report,” said the DIG. Earlier, a delegation of Ganjam Bar Association (GBA) led by its president Mohan Singari submitted a memorandum to the DIG seeking suspension and arrest of the police officer.
“We also urged the DIG to take measures to prevent such atrocities by any police officer against advocates in future,” said Singari.
Condemning the police action on an advocate, the GBA resorted cease-work agitation for a day, he said.
Biswal has been accused of assaulting lawyer Hara Prasad Dash when the latter had gone to the police station to meet him over the construction of a disputed road and a wall on the Buguda community health centre premises Tuesday.
The lawyer alleged that he was discussing with the IIC when things turned uglier and scuffle ensued between the two. The IIC allegedly beat him up and broke his head. A video footage of the alleged assault went viral on social media platforms.
Biswal was transferred after a three-member team comprising ASP PK Mohapatra, Bhanjanagar SDPO Utkal Keshari Dash and Purusottampur SDPO Ambika Sahu conducted a probe and submitted a report.
Meanwhile, Buguda Swabhiman Nagarik Manch, a local outfit, took out a rally in support of the IIC.
PNN
