TRINATH MOHANTY, OP
Bhubaneswar: Despite Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi directing police personnel to treat people visiting police stations with courtesy, allegations of police high-handedness and assault continue to surface across Odisha.
According to information available from the DGP’s office, more than 40 police personnel across the state have faced complaints of assault and abuse of power.
Three police personnel have recently been accused of assault.
Director General of Police (DGP) Vinaytosh Mishra has ordered investigations into the complaints and said action would be taken after the inquiry reports are received.
In the latest case, a complaint was lodged with the Baleshwar SP Monday against Shravan Kumar Maharana, inspector-in-charge (IIC) of Talsari Marine police station for allegedly assaulting a hotel manager in the middle of a road.
In another incident, a woman police officer at Gopalpur police station was accused of assaulting a man over a minor traffic violation October 22.
A video purportedly showing the officer attacking the man has also gone viral on social media.
According to the complaint, police were conducting strict vehicle checks near Sandha Chhak under Gopalpur police station limits Thursday evening when the woman officer stopped a young man for talking on his mobile phone while driving.
The man reportedly admitted his mistake and asked the police to impose a fine as prescribed under the rules.
However, Assistant Sub-Inspector Jharana Jena allegedly attempted to put her hand into the driver’s pocket, tried to snatch his mobile phone and subsequently assaulted him.
In another incident, a police officer was seen slapping a young man and dragging him away by the collar during the immersion procession of Durga idols in Kataka last Thursday.
The incident took place at the Devi Gada immersion site.
After a video of the incident went viral, BJD leader Sulata Deo questioned the police over the action in a Facebook post. “Knowing that they cannot handle crowds, they deliberately imposed restrictions this time.
However, such an assault by the police is unacceptable,” she wrote.
A few days ago, during the Congress party’s march to gherao the state Assembly, Nayapalli police station IIC Manas Sahu allegedly grabbed Bhawanipatna MLA Sagar Charan Das by the collar and threatened him by pointing a finger at him.
The Congress condemned the police officer’s behaviour towards an elected representative and demanded action.
Similarly, serious allegations were levelled against the Chandaka police station IIC and a sub-inspector October 16.
They were accused of assaulting a home guard.
Responding to the allegations, DGP Binayatosh Mishra said not all police personnel behaved in such a manner.
“A few errant personnel are responsible for such incidents.
Investigations are being conducted and action is being taken against those found responsible,” he said.