The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has recently sought an Action-Taken Report (ATR) on the death of a youth and severe injuries of two others who were tortured by Special Operation Group in Nuapada district last month.
The NHRC passed the order acting on a petition filed by Supreme Court lawyer and rights activist Radhakanta Tripathy. On last August 16, the Special Operations Group (SOG) personnel engaged in anti-Maoist operations had picked up three local youths, including a minor, to the SOG camp for their suspected involvement in a theft and had subjected them to torture at their camp in Soseng .Chittaranjan Sahu succumbed to the torture.
On September 16, the SOG personnel later informed to Komana police station that Chittaranjan (22) had fled from their detention at Soseng camp whereas the SOG personnel later handed over Nutan Naik (25) and a minor to the Komana police for their involvement in a suspected theft case.
As Nutan Naik sustained critical injuries due to the torture of the SOG personnel in the camp, Komana police registered a theft case and had sent Nutan to the VSS Institute of Medical Science, Education and Research (VIMSAR), Burla for treatment. Police, later registered a theft case.
Chittaranjan’s father Uddhab Sahu alleged his son was killed by SOG personnel as he was untraceable. Even, Chittaranjan’s body was found in Sunabeda forest. The body was buried by the SOG personnel near the camp. Even, the accused SOGs, Khusiram Bhoi, an armed sub-inspector, and three commandos - Kamdev Pradhan, Sushil Kujur and Pramod Jagdala - confessed to the crime of torturing Chittaranjan and having buried his body.
Tripathy alleged that the innocent villagers are subjected to consistent torture by the security personnel in Sunabeda and adjacent area. The instant incident is only one of the few examples of such torture.
He drew the attention of the Commission requesting to investigate the case and ensure safety and security of the villagers and compensation to the family members of the deceased.