Dhenkanal: A 28-year-old woman allegedly tried to immolate herself by pouring petrol on her body outside the office of the Dhenkanal Superintendent of Police Saturday evening.
The woman was identified as Lija Sethy, 28, a native of Jagatsinghpur district and wife of Amarnath Jena of Ankarantipur under Dhenkanal Sadar police limits.
However, her efforts were frustrated after police personnel present at the spot immediately responded, seizing a plastic bottle of petrol and matchsticks from her.
On being informed, SP Abhinav Sonkar rushed to the office and heard the woman’s grievance.
She alleged that she decided to immolate herself after getting fed up with the behaviour of police officials of Sadar and Town police stations.
Meanwhile, four hours after the incident, the SP suspended Town police station SI Utkal Bijay Mohanty and Sadar police station SI Rojalin Minz from service.
The couple was staying in Angul on rent.
Lija alleged that her brother-in-law, residing at Rameshwarpur in Dhenkanal, abused her using obscene language, prompting her to approach the Town police station for help.
However, according to her statement, officials at the Town police station told her to file the complaint at the Sadar police station as her in-laws’ house is under their jurisdiction.
When she visited the Sthe adar police station, they directed her to the Angul police station.
Frustrated after repeated pleas for justice, she resorted to the extreme step at the SP office.
After listening to her complaint, SP Sonkar instructed police officers to safely escort her home and called both station officers for an explanation.
He said an inquiry has been ordered into the incident, and strict action will be taken against officers found negligent.
The Sadar SDPO has been directed to submit a report on the conduct of police officials.
Authorities said an investigation will also be carried out into how the woman procured petrol in a plastic bottle.
PNN
