The chief security officer (CSO) of Tarang Studio at Sarua in Khordha district sustained grievous injuries after he was allegedly attacked by local goons on Friday.
The CSO, identified as Haleem Khan, has reportedly sustained injuries on his limbs and torso in the attack.
As per reports, some locals came to the studio at around 10 am on Friday on the pretext of searching the land officer and started abusing Khan. When he asked them to leave, they threatened to kidnap him.
However, when Khan protested, they called a few goons from the village who came with sticks, sharp weapons and pistols and attacked the CSO.
Later, Khan lodged an FIR at the Baghamari Police Station following which the cops sent him to Khordha hospital for treatment and launched a probe in connection with the incident.
On the other hand, the attackers have also lodged a counter FIR against Khan accusing him of attacking them.
“Our office staff had paid a visit to a person to solve his land dispute. However, eight to ten local goons assembled and attacked me with lathis and sharp-edged weapon. I tried to protect myself and sustained injuries. Land grabbing, threatening and extortion are all what they do,” complained CSO Halim.
On the other hand, Baghamari police refused to give any statements in this connection. However, police sources said that two separate cases have been registered in this connection and necessary steps would be taken as per law.
However, question arises as to why such attacks are being perpetrated and who is backing them. What is the motive behind vandalised Odisha’s No 1 channel ‘Tarang’? Who is supporting them?
This isn’t the first case in the said region, reports said. More than 12 industrial units have so far been forced to shut down due to such notorious criminals.
While the State government claims of attracting investors from abroad, its zero effort to provide security to local investors proves otherwise.
Commenting on the issue, Industrialist Satwik Swain said, “The government should take immediate actions to prevent such anti-socials from attacking industrialists. The government launched Zero Tolerance against vandalism should be applied strongly.”
“The district administration and local police should swing into action and provide security,” he added.
Similarly, Brahmanand Mishra, President of UCCI said, “Industrialisation will only grow if the investors are given proper protection. A 21,000 crore MOU has been signed with Dubai. The investors will withdraw if they learn that investors are attacked here. This will create a negative impact on investors who want to invest here.”
It is pertinent to mention here that the Sarua Industrial Estate, which houses many industries including the Tarang Studio, has been witnessing an increased threat by miscreants who extort money from the industrialists by threatening them with life.