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Sundergarh: Investigating a case in connection with the vandalisation of Kanika outpost, police allegedly owned the 'goondaism'-way and thrashed a few villagers including some women in the name of interrogation. Bizzare allegations have surfaced against the policemen with locals of Kanika levelling that the cops indulged in misconduct and tortured them while conducting a probe.
Reportedly on Thursday, during a protest over the death of one Lipun Naik, a few locals had locked the Kanika beat house and later vandalised two police vehicles.
Following this, a team of police led by Sundergarh SP Soumya Mishra and ASP Rabi Narayan Barik reached the village to interrogate the villagers and arrest the accused persons. However, during the course of investigation, they allegedly thrashed those who had no involvement in the vandalisation. Even the women were not spared.
"It was late at night when police barged inside our house and vandalised our shop. We were asked to sit in one corner of the house. We could do nothing but observe. We were three of us in the house at that time and all ladies. We were tortured by the cops, one of them even tried to beat us," said a victim, Tumpa Dey.
It has also been alleged that the SP manhandled an expectant mother present in the house. "As soon as I opened the door, SP Soumya Mishra strangulated me asking about my husband. Where is your husband hiding- she kept on asking me the same question and pushed me. I finally asked her to leave me," alleged the pregnant woman, Priya Dey.
Local MLA Kusum Tete has criticised such an act of police after meeting the victims. "The victims narrated everything that has happened. I strongly criticise such barbarism of the police and will raise this issue in the Assembly."
The SP, however, is yet to respond to the allegations.
It may be noted here that Lipun Naik, a local youth died after being hit by a speeding Scorpio while he was returning from Hemagiri to Kanika in his two-wheeler. Though the driver managed to flee the scene, the Scorpio was detained and handed over to police. A day later when police reportedly released the vehicle, irate locals resorted to violence and thereby vandalised the outpost in protest.
