Odia assaulted in TN: Odisha sends officer to probe attack

The Odisha government has deputed an Odia officer to Tamil Nadu to investigate the shocking assault on an Odia labourer. 

State Labour Minister Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia on Tuesday said that the Tamil Nadu government has also been urged to take strict action against those responsible.

The Minister stated that the officer sent to Tamil Nadu will conduct an on-ground inquiry and submit a detailed report to the Odisha government on the incident.

As per reports, the incident occurred near an old railway quarters at Tiruttani in Tamil Nadu, where a video showing three minors brutally assaulting an Odia youth went viral on social media. The incident took place on December 27.

The youth was travelling from Chennai to Tiruttani in a local train when an argument broke out with four intoxicated minors over making social media reels. After the train reached Tiruttani, the minors allegedly forcefully dragged the Odia youth out and assaulted him mercilessly.

After the video went viral, the Tamil Nadu Police detained four minors and are currently questioning them in connection with the incident.

"Tamil Nadu government needs to share information over the incident like where the person is getting treatment and all the documents. Otherwise, it will be difficult to know about the incident. Tamil Nadu government is not fulfilling its responsibilities. The brutal attack suggests that the police administration and Tamil Nadu government are not in functional mode and a defunct government is running there," said Odisha BJP spokesperson Anil Biswal.

"I condemn the incident on behalf of the Odisha government. I appeal to the Tamil Nadu government that this kind of incident should not happen. Stern actions should be taken against the culprits. A Labour liaison officer has already been sent to Tamil Nadu. He will carry out an investigation into the incident and inform the Odisha Government. We will discuss about the matter with our Chief Minister. We will also discuss with the Tamil Nadu government, and necessary steps will be taken," said Labour Minister Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia.

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"The citizens of Tamil Nadu have to understand that they are also the citizens of India. DMK and the Tamil Nadu government have to take the matter seriously. I don't think that the Tamil Nadu government is serious about the issue. DMK government's status is turning like the Mamata Banerjee government. The Centre should look into the matter," said Bar Council of India Chairman Manan Mishra.

"It should not have happened. The government should do a serious investigation into how it happened. The government in Tamil Nadu is very sensitive and serious about this kind of matter. Let's hope that the Tamil Nadu government investigate over the issue and take corrective measures," said CPI General Secretary D Raja.