Even as a day has passed since the assault of a photo journalist in broad daylight by a policeman outside Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, no action has been taken against the errant cop. Such inaction by the police has drawn sharp criticism from journalists who have demanded immediate arrest of the accused policeman.
Despite being aware of the incident, police have shown little interest to initiate disciplinary action against the accused policeman.
Condemning the attack on lensman Rakesh Roul in public on Thursday, senior journalist Prasanna Mohanty said, “It is a matter of shame that journalists are not safe in the state capital. Moreover, it is disgraceful that police who are supposed to providing protection to journalists abused Rakesh for no fault of his. Police silence in this case is shocking.”
He continues: “Police brutality against Rakesh has been captured in camera. That apart, what is the fault of the photo journalist? His job is to click photos and that’s what he did. Police have no rights to snatch the camera from him. I must say police atrocity against the lensman has proved that police are trying to suppress the voice of media.”
Demanding the arrest of the accused police official and his suspension Mohanty further said “Odisha Union of Journalists will not take the case lightly and will communicate with Director General of Police in this regard this evening. Besides, I will take the matter to Chief Minister.”
It was learnt that New Zealand hockey team was on its way to the stadium when Roul clicked photographs. However, it enraged a policeman who questioned him and went on to assault him.
It was alleged that the policeman, who was in a bus, got down and abused Roul before pushing him to the ground and assaulting him.