As per reports, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had gone to poll-bound Patkura to campaign for party candidate Sabitri Agarwalla and the journalist was there to cover the news. But due to some reasons, the SP, who was present at the helipad, got irked and raised his hand to beat the journalist.
Though the incident has induced criticism from several quarters, comments from the concerned SP could not be obtained on the matter.
Later the Kendrapara SP sought an apology over the incident and said, "I haven't even touched anyone, slapping is far too an assumption. Anyway if it has hurt any one I express my apology. We all are doing our job. Certain behavior at certain time may hurt some but again there was absolutely no intention to misbehave or hurt anyone. Let's forget and move ahead looking forward to a cordial working relationship."
On Wednesday, a video purportedly showing the Kendrapara SP, Niti Sekhar raising his hand to slap a local television journalist, went viral on social media. After criticism from several quarters, the SP later in the day sought an apology stating that he had absolutely no intention to misbehave or hurt anyone.
"I haven’t even touched anyone, slapping is far too an assumption. Anyway if it has hurt any one, I express my apology. We all are doing our job. Certain behavior at certain time may hurt some but again there was absolutely no intention to misbehave or hurt anyone. Let’s forget and move ahead looking forward to a cordial working relationship.”
- Kendrapara SP, Niti Sekhar.
However, the Assembly today witnessed an uproar by both BJP and the Congress, who went hammer and tongs at the ruling-BJD over the attack on scribe. Both the parties demanded the Speaker to direct concerned officials to take stringent action against the SP and suspend him immediately.
After Speaker Surjya Narayan Patro denied to issue a ruling on this, the MLAs rushed to the Well of the House and raised slogans demanding immediate action against the SP. The House was subsequently adjouned till 3PM.
Leader of Opposition Pradipta Nayak said, "Kendrapara SP attacked the journalist in presence of two former BJD ministers. This is an insult to the fourth pillar of democracy. The SP should be immediately transferred or suspended."
Condemning the incident, BJP MLA Bishnu Sethi stated, "Attack on media persons is a disgrace to democracy. There are many such instances- in KIIT, in Puri, Bhubaneswar and now Kendrapara. The SPs are acting as workers of the ruling party. Therefore, we have urged the Speaker to come up with a ruling for protection of the journalists."
#AttackOnJournalist: We demand strict action against #Kendrapara SP Niti Sekhar for allegedly attempting to slap a journalist, says senior BJP MLA Bishnu Sethi pic.twitter.com/XmDLo2f0zy
— OTV (@otvnews) July 18, 2019
Senior Congress legislator Narasingha Mishra said, "A case was registered against Patnagarh MLA for forcing a JE to do sit-ups. Even though he had apologised for his misbehaviour, he was arrested and sent to jail. In the Kendrapara case, the Speaker today mentioned that the SP has sought an apology. If seeking an apology makes the SP guiltless, then I think new rules should be introduced in the Assembly."
Congress' Tara Bahinipati too criticised the alleged dabbanggiri of the top cop, questioning,"Is this Rajatantra (Monarchy), Ganatantra (Democracy) or 'NaveenTantra'? It's unfortunate to see that journalists are targeted. Strict action should be taken against the SP."
#AttackOnJournalist: Congress' Tara Bahinipati criticises,"Is this Rajatantra (Monarchy), Ganatantra (Democracy) or 'NaveenTantra'? It's unfortunate. Strict action should be taken."
BJP MLAs later staged protest at the Well of House after Speaker denies ruling in this connection pic.twitter.com/tzU5WBf1iT
— OTV (@otvnews) July 18, 2019
Wearing black badges in protest, the journalists in Kendrapara today staged an agitation and demanded action against Niti Sekhar. "The incident is painful and an example of the autocratic government. A man in uniform who has been given the responsibility of the district lost his grounds."
Wearing black badges, journalists in #Kendrapara stage protest outside Collector’s office demanding transfer of SP Niti Sekhar for allegedly attempting to slap an on-duty scribe at Barimula on Wednesday pic.twitter.com/Pz6e8fCHXr
— OTV (@otvnews) July 18, 2019
Also Read: Odisha Police Dabanggiri! Kendrapara SP ‘Attacks’ Journalist
As per reports, family members of one Sushant Behera alias Manguli, and hundreds of locals of Aradapalli village launched a gherao of Pattamundai police station last night protesting his death under suspicious circumstances in police custody.
According to Sushant's family, local police picked him up on charges of bootlegging, but they didn’t know his whereabouts after his detention and were only informed after his death.
While the police said that Sushant fell ill after being taken into custody and was later admitted to Cuttack SCB hospital where he died, his family and the locals allege police excess and physical torture led to his death.
“I heard that the police picked up my son and took him to custody while beating him all the way to police station. Later we were told that he was dead,” said Sushant’s grieving father.
Denying the allegations of police excess in custody, Kendrapara SP, Niti Sekhar however said, “There is no question of any physical torture by the police. We have CCTV footage, and eye witnesses to prove our case.”
In order to pacify the irate mob following the incident, district Collector of Kendrapara reached the village late last night and assured action in connection with the matter besides assistance to the grieving family.
“I have assured them of rehabilitation and also promised that appropriate action will be taken against the police officials under law if found guilty,” said, Samarth Verma, Kendrapara Collector.