In a glaring example of anti-socials losing fear of the police in the city, a man was allegedly assaulted by a group of hooligans at Laxmisagar in the presence of police on Tuesday.
According to police sources, the victim Parbinder Pal Singh asked occupants of a car to move the vehicle as it was parked on the road near an apartment causing inconvenience in vehicular movement.
But the hooligans abused Singh following which he sought the help of police by dialing 100. As cops reached the spot in a PCR van, Singh went near the policemen to apprise them about the matter.
But the accused thrashed Singh and hit his head with stone injuring him grievously in presence of the PCR personnel.
Later, a case was registered at the Laxmisagar police station in this connection and two miscreants identified as Sankar Raut and Deepak Mohanty, were arrested. On the other hand, the PCR van in-charge has been placed under suspension for negligence in duty.
In reaction to the incident, BJP spokesperson Golak Mohapatra on Wednesday said the Commissionerate police remained a mute spectator when the anti-socials assaulted the Sikh gentleman.
The accused, who have been arrested are BJD supporters, he alleged.
Mohapatra demanded that all others involved in the incident be arrested immediately and their links with the police personnel be probed. Besides, the victim and his family should be provided security as their lives are in danger.
Congress MLA Santosh Singh Saluja also termed the broad daylight incident as shocking. The goons besides assaulting the person also pulled off his turban. He demanded stringent action against the accused.