Though two years have passed since the unfortunate incident of police firing on anti-liquor protesters at Namatara village in the district, the scars and sufferings are still fresh in the victims’ minds.
The passing times have failed to wipe out the terrible memories of the Namatara police firing victims. Some of the injured victims are to be cured fully as they are still suffering from pain from the bullet wounds. Though, the Central Region RDC started an inquiry on August 25, 2016 but still the inquiry report is yet to be published.
Thirty-five persons have faced the RDC probe on the police firing and the victims brought the misery to the notice of the commission and demanded to provide financial assistance and free medical treatment. The RDC ordered the Kendrapada district Collector to provide free medical treatment to the injured.
A Class IX student and victim of the police firing Rashmita Jena said she failed to stand and walk properly following two bullets pierced her legs while she was returning from tuitions, when police fired bullets on March 8, 2015. Meanwhile, the victims are still waiting till date to get compensation from the State Government.
Notably, hundreds of locals and SHG group activists of Namatara village under Rajhanika police station on March 8, 2015 ransacked a local foreign liquor shop, protesting against the negligence of the district administration and the Excise Department to close it down, despite their persistent demands.
The irate mob later torched the police vehicle on the spot and pelted stones at the cops. later, the then district SP reached the spot with the Executive Magistrate and police force to control the situation. However, the police resorted to firing on the crowd without warning and nine people, including school students sustained injuries. But the RDC probe in this incident started after one and an half years.
Rights activists also brought the matter to the notice of the Odisha State Human Rights Commission and National Human Rights Commission about the police excess and the sorry plight of the police firing victims and urged to intervene in the matter and take action against the errant police personnel.