Bhubaneswar: Starting from Nimpara to Bhubaneswar and now Bargarh, the State police department has come under fire over alleged atrocities and human rights violation. Persons in police custody have been reportedly subjected to third-degree torture many a times. Such allegations have belittled the 'We Serve, We Protect' motto of Odisha Police.
Human rights activists have alleged that in most cases, probe against accused police officers are carried out by personnel of the same department. The cases handed over to the State or National Human Rights Commission stay pending due to lack of manpower. Besides, the Police Complaints Authority constituted in 2007 to look into complaints against police officers shut down in 2013.
"Police cannot thrash people either by stick or hand. The Indian Penal Code (IPC) has not empowered them to do so," said human rights activist Pradipta Nayak.
The Inspector In-charge (IIC) of Nimapara police station in Puri district was recently suspended for assaulting a 74-year-old woman and her daughter-in-law. Three officers were transferred after two young girls were allegedly thrashed by Nayapalli police last week.
Similarly, the district administration has assured to take action on the alleged torture of youth by the Bargarh Town police.
"The department should be more conscious about human rights issues and the police personnel should be directed to be cautious while dealing with such cases," said ex-DG Bipin Bihari Mishra.
Kendrapara MP Baijayant 'Jay' Panda, in his recent column in an English daily, had opined that police reforms are crucial. The police has long been politicised and the six point guidelines of the Supreme Court has not been followed including the formation of State Security Commissions (SSCs) to prevent political interference, he wrote.