Hooliganism of sarpanch’s husband caught on CCTV, FIR lodged

Paradip: In a shocking incident at Khosalapur village in Kujanga block of Jagatsinghpur, shopkeepers and women were allegedly beaten up by the local sarpanch’s husband for failing to attend a Mahila Mahasamabesh organised by the ruling-BJD in September.

“The sarpanch's husband along with some men had come and ransacked my house. I was also chased and attacked by them. Despite lodging complaint against them, the police have still not taken any action,” said ex-Sarpanch, Maguni Barik.

According to reports, Pramod Swain, the husband of sarpanch Smruti Rekha Swain has also been caught on CCTV camera while attacking shopkeepers in Khosalapur market.

“Though it has been eight days since the complaint was lodged against the accused, the inept attitude of police is really surprising. Pramod is moving freely in the area and has even threatened me of dire consequences,” said shopkeeper Pabitra Swain, who was attacked.

According to sources, women of the village were also allegedly attacked and their houses were ransacked by Pramod and his men.

“They had asked us to attend the BJD meeting. After we failed to attend the meeting, they attacked me and my mother-in-law and destroyed household items,” said Gitanjali Barik, a woman injured in the alleged attack.

Meanwhile, Pramod refuted the charges saying that it’s just a political gimmick by opposition party members and the altercation with the said shopkeeper was because of obscene remarks made at a girl during an idol immersion event.