Bhadrak: Irate people Monday vandalised Aradi police outpost and damaged police vehicles after an undertrial died allegedly due to police torture in custody.
The agitators also staged a road blockade alleging police excesses to be the reason behind the undertrial’s death.
According to sources, Debadutta Barik, who was appointed as a security guard at the famous Akhandalamani temple, was arrested by the police along with two others February 22 for his alleged involvement in theft of money from the donation box of the temple February 18.
Aradi police then handed over the accused to Dhushuri police. The accused were remanded in judicial custody February 23.
According to jail authorities, Barik fell sick at 9.45 am Monday and started sweating. Referred by jail doctor Gokulananda Mallick, he was shifted to Bhadrak district headquarters hospital, where doctors declared him dead at 10.45 am.
As the news spread, Barik’s family members and villagers rushed to Aradi outpost and staged a demonstration. They blocked the Akhandalmani-Bhadrak road for four hours by burning tyres.
The mob also broke into Aradi outpost and manhandled a havildar. They pelted stones at the outpost and damaged electric bulbs on the premises, besides setting fire to two police bikes.
They shouted slogans against the police accusing the latter of adopting a dilly-dallying approach in arresting another three persons of Aradi who were involved in the theft.
As the situation went out of control, a platoon of police led by Dhushuri police station officer-in-charge Bulu Munda reached the place and held discussions with the agitators.
The situation at the district headquarters hospital also remained tense. A platoon of police force was deployed outside the morgue of the hospital to avoid any untoward situation.
Meanwhile, JMFC Biswajit Nayak started a judicial probe into the matter. He spotted injury marks on the hips, thighs and other body parts of Barik. He also recorded the statements of the doctors and family members of Barik.
Zilla Parishad member Ajay Jena demanded a Crime Branch probe into the matter.
Sub-divisional police officer Sudhakar Jena refuted the allegations of police excess. He said Barik had stolen the donation box, for which, he was arrested. He died due to illness, the SDPO claimed.
Jail superintendent Sunaram Singh also claimed Barik died of illness while refuting the allegation of torture. PNN