Titilagarh: The office of the Sub Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) here was burnt by locals on Saturday as tension ran high in the town of Bolangir district following death of a youth allegedly due to torture caused by police.
Sources said an angry mob ransacked the SDPO office and torched furniture, files and a police vehicle. Earlier in the day, some people attacked the Titilagarh police station and damaged furniture, TV and office properties.
Bolangir SP and Additional SP have reached the town and are monitoring the situation, they added.
“Locals are alleging that the youth died because of police torture. We will definitely take action regarding this. The post mortem will be done by doctors from outside. Besides, the persons against whom allegations are being made will be charged under Section 302 of IPC,” said Sunil Joshi, Additional SP, Bolangir.
Family members of the deceased, Basant Pradhan, alleged the Bolangir Town Police detained the youth on June 10 on charges of purchasing a stolen mobile.
However, no case was lodged against Pradhan and police tortured the youth in its custody till June 15, added family members.
“After his release from the police custody we took Pradhan to a local doctor in Titilagarh, but he could diagnose the problem. God knows which internal organ might have been damaged as the police beaten him up mercilessly,” said Anant Pradhan, a close relative of the deceased, shedding tears.