The Commissionerate police on Wednesday dismissed two Home Guards from service in connection with the brutal assault on a minor tea seller here who had allegedly kept his father's tea shop open beyond the deadline during lockdown.
DCP Umashankar Dash also recommended dismissal of an Odisha Armed Police Force jawan, who had earlier been suspended in connection with the case.
The incident had occurred at Kesura under the Badagada police station on June 29. PCR personnel of the Badagada police station allegedly kicked the boy mercilessly for keeping the shop open beyond the permissible time of 6 am to 1 pm during the partial lockdown. Without inquiring into the matter, the police personnel allegedly mercilessly kicked and thrashed the boy in the absence of his father. They also allegedly snatched some eatables and drove away from the spot. The shameless act of the cops was captured on a CCTV camera which later went viral on social media and was aired on some television channels.
Following the news and the hue and cry over it, the DCP had suspended the PCR officials and directed a probe against two other personnel. But despite the DCP’s action, there were strong demands for exemplary punishment against the police personnel for the excess and highhandedness.
Taking suo motu cognisance of the matter, the Odisha State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (OSCPCR) directed the DCP to submit a report on the incident. OSCPCR Chairperson Sandhyabati Pradhan said the commission would also inquire into the circumstances that led to the employment of a child in the shop. If required, the boy would be rehabilitated under the Government schemes, she said.