Baripada: A 21-year-old man sustained critical injuries to one of his eyes after he was allegedly hit by a police personnel with a baton during a motor vehicle checking in Baripada on Wednesday.
The man, identified as Sipu Das, was reportedly trying to escape from being caught by a group of policemen who were carrying out a motor vehicle inspection near the Station bazar area.
“I had gone to buy medicines as I was unwell. However, after reaching the shop, I realised I had left my wallet at home. While I was on my way back home I saw some policemen conducting document verification. Seeing them I tried to take a detour and stopped a for moment when a policeman came rushing and hit me on the right eye with his baton,” said Das who has suffered serious injuries on his eye.
Das said the injury has resulted in serious loss of vision in the eye.
Sources said Das works as a labourer outside the State and had returned to his native village during the COVID-19 induced lockdown. For the last six months he has been staying with his family in the village.
Though Das has reported the matter to senior police officials, he has not registered any formal complaint so far.
“The inspector-in-charge of the concerned police station has assured to bear all medical expenses for the treatment of my eye,” Das added.
Meanwhile, the senior police officials could not be contacted for response.