Demanding justice to the family of deceased Paralakhemundi ASF Soumya Ranjan Mohapatra, who is a native of Khaira, a local civil society body, Khaira Nagarika Manch on Thursday observed a 6-hour bandh in Khaira.
The members of the outfit alleged that the police and Crime Branch investigation into the incident has been tardy and biased stating that the culprits behind the death of Soumya Ranjan were yet to be nabbed.
No headway in the probe and prolonged delay in identification of culprits might lead to spoiling evidence and their escaping police net, they said.
Due to the picketing that continued between 6 am and 12 pm, shops, business establishments and Government offices were closed. It was peaceful and total, said reports. It may be noted, on July 11 night, ACF Soumya Ranjan was rescued from his residence with more 95 per cent burn injuries under mysterious circumstances and the victim succumbed a day later in a hospital at Cuttack during treatment.
His family members alleging that a conspiracy was hatched to eliminate Mohapatra also pointed finger at Soumya’s wife Bidya Bharati Panda, DFO Paralakhemundi Sangram Kesari Behera and cook Manmanth Kumbh.
The Investigating Officers of Crime Branch in the process of their investigations have visited several times the house of deceased Soumya at Khaira and grilled his wife Bidya visiting her house at Kaptipda. However, police are yet to unfold the mystery.