The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has asked the Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) to act over a case of rights violation of the protestors near Barimula based Sarathi ashram when they were assaulted by the police in August last.
The Apex rights panel passed the order following two separate petitions filed by activist Radhakanta Tripathy. Tripathy in his petition had brought to the notice of the NHRC that law and order were completely broken in Kendrapada town when police swooped down on protestors and assaulted them black and blue on August 6 and 7 last.
Police lathi-charged protestors while they had blocked a road at Tinimuhani Square demanding immediate action against the self proclaimed godman Sarathi alias Santosh Raul. Even, a couple of mediapersons were also injured in the incident. Police even attacked those who had raised hands above the shoulders as a sign of surrender.
The then SP of the district Satish Kumar Gajbhiye was a silent spectator as his men went berserk. Police arrested Kendrapada district BJP president Duryodhan Sahu, a former office bearer of the Kendrapada Bar Association and was forced to do sit-ups at the Tinimuhani Square.
The failure of the Government to save the common men from cheating and the police brutality on the lawyers, activists, journalists and students amounts to serious violation of human rights, Tripathy alleged.
He requested the NHRC to investigate the case by the Special Rapporteur and direct the Chief Secretary and the DG of Police to immediately release all those picked at random by police; ensure medical treatment to the injured ones; keep vigilance over the activities of all Babas and spread awareness, proper propaganda against the fraudulent people related to religion and pay adequate compensation to all the victims of police brutality.