Rayagada:Swift action by Police, 20 arrested for mob violence, SP’s recommendation for “Red Flag” category accepted by DG police
Dr.Badal Tah Odishabarta
Rayagada, June 21: Police, under the strict supervision of SP Raj Prasad and guidance from Crime Branch, has taken swift action in case of a heinous mob attack on two NGO workers from outside the state of Odisha on the plea of child kidnapping.
One of the NGO interns, a lady in her twenties from Delhi, was brutally assaulted, stripped naked by thousand of rumour mongerers. Good Samaritans named Balaram Bagh & Purusu Hikaka took lead in rescuing the seriously wounded lady and putting her into the police van present there. She was admitted in the Community Health Centre at K Singhpur and then referred to District Headquarters Hospital, Rayagada after SP Prasad reached quickly at K Singhpur and took stock of the grievous situation.
In first phase, 16 culprits and in the next phase 4 more were arrested and forwarded to court. Three cases have been filed against the culprits under BNSS.
Three police teams and one legal team have been formed and it is expected that more arrests will be done, which may surmount to more than forty.
A cyber team also is looking into the source of the viral video depicting incessant beating and stripping of the lady. Strict action will be taken against the culprits as per BNSS and Information Technology Act, said SP. It is learnt that DIG- South-Western Range at Koraput & Crime Branch have intervened in the case as it is serious and very sensitive.
SP Prasad has appealed the public to further refrain from making such videos viral seriously affecting the privacy and modesty of the affected lady.Prasad has recommended this case to be considered under Red Flag category.
The Red Flag category in police investigations refers to a high-priority classification for exceptionally sensitive or brutal cases, such as sexual assault on minors, heinous crimes against women, and mob violence.
“The way a young girl was stripped naked and brutally attacked is very disgusting and condemnable.
The real culprits should be punished severely. In a video, I saw a lawyer saying that almost all these attackers are from the tribal community.
The tribals of Rayagada district are mostly peaceful. It is rare to see such despicable acts being committed due to rumors. It may also be a case of instigation, which needs to be investigated. Nevertheless, as a tribal myself, I am ashamed and shocked for this act. In the same time, I am proud of my tribal brother Purusu Hikaka & dalit brother Balaram Bagh, who risked their lives in protecting & rescuing the girl.
The SP of the district has taken right steps in this direction and has arrested culprits on the basis of initial evidence. I would request him to impose strict punishment under law and arrest more of the attackers.
To avoid further police arrest of innocent people, I will appeal the real culprits either must surrender before law or the mothers, sisters and wives of those tribal men, who have committed such acts should pressurize them to surrender.
This will further strengthen the trust of the larger society in the tribals and their values”, said Bidulata Huika, President, KBK Suraksha O Unnayan Parishad, Rayagada District & State Convenor, Odisha Adivasi Manch
