Situation tense but under control: DGP; CM announces Rs 2 lakh ex-gratia to deceased’s kin
At least one person was killed and four others were seriously injured when police opened fire at a crowd at Chandpur in Nayagarh district on Thursday. The people were demanding arrest of the culprits responsible for the recent murder of four members of a family at Shashtri Nagar at Chandpur.
The incident took place when the protesters, who were on a sit-in strike near the police outpost, confronted the cops over their failure to trace the criminals responsible for the brutal multiple murders.
The deceased was identified as one Pradip Behera of the Tangi area. Two of the injured were rushed to the SCB Medical College Hospital, Cuttack after their conditions turned critical.
Sources said the incident occurred when the local people, who have been on a dharna near the police outpost for the last five days protesting police failure to nab the murderers, lost their cool. Many angry protesters barged into the outpost demanding an answer that led to the confrontation with the police.
The police opened fire after their attempt to disperse the mob with lathicharge and teargas shelling failed, a senior police officer said. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the family of deceased Pradip Behera. The ex-gratia would be paid from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.
Besides, Patnaik also announced that the State Government would bear the expenses towards the treatment of the injured persons.
DGP Sanjeev Marik said, “The situation (at Chandpur) was tense but under control.” ADG BN Jha had been rushed to Chandpur, he added.
Marik said the mob had barged into the police station and attacked the district SP and Collector who were engaged in a discussion on the issue. As many as 15 policemen were also injured in the mob’s attack, he said.