When Those Who Protect Traffic Are Attacked: What Has Happened to Berhampur’s Civic Sense?

 Manoj Kanta Dash, Odishabarta

Berhampur, August 13, 2026: With just two days to go before the Nation celebrates Independence Day, an incident near Vishal Chhak in Berhampur has raised serious questions about public discipline, respect for law and the mindset of those who openly challenge personnel performing their lawful duties.

Berhampur Town Police have arrested two persons and seized a KIA car following an alleged assault on Traffic Police personnel and violation of traffic restrictions imposed near Vishal Chhak in view of ongoing construction work on the Gate Bazar flyover.

Berhampur Town Police Station registered FIR No. 0361/2026 on August 13 under Sections 296, 115(2), 74, 132, 351(2) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, along with Sections 185 and 192 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.

Traffic Personnel Allegedly Manhandled During Duty

According to police, the incident occurred between approximately 3:40 PM and 4:00 PM when Constable Sukumari Mallik (C/336) and Constable R. Sadananda (C/901) of the Traffic Police Station were deployed at Vishal Chhak to enforce a “No Entry” restriction necessitated by the flyover construction.

Police said a KIA car bearing registration number OD-02-CY-4924 allegedly attempted to enter the restricted road towards Gate Bazar Chhak.

When Constable R. Sadananda reportedly stopped the vehicle, one of the occupants allegedly got down, used obscene and abusive language, assaulted the constable on his face and other parts of his body, and allegedly threatened to kill him.

Police further alleged that both occupants appeared to be under the influence of alcohol.

The vehicle allegedly proceeded towards the “No Entry” side near Vishal Mega Mart. When Constable Sukumari Mallik intervened to prevent the traffic violation, the occupants allegedly abused and assaulted her as well.

The two persons were subsequently brought to Berhampur Town Police Station.

Two Arrested, Vehicle Seized

The arrested persons have been identified as:

1. Anata Keshari Dev (35), son of Sangram Keshari Dev, resident of Dakhinapur village under Sadar Police Station.

2. Sibaram Pradhan (39), son of late Kirana Pradhan, resident of Dakhinapur village under Sadar Police Station.

Police said the KIA car bearing registration number OD-02-CY-4924 has also been seized.

The investigation is being conducted by Assistant Sub-Inspector Nigam Chandra Pradhan of Berhampur Town Police Station. Further legal action will be taken in accordance with law, police said.

Viral Video Sparks Public Anger

The alleged incident has meanwhile attracted considerable public attention after a video reportedly showing the episode circulated on social media.

Comments and reactions on Facebook indicate that many commuters and residents are deeply disturbed by what they have seen. For ordinary citizens who regularly travel through Vishal Chhak, the traffic personnel deployed there are familiar faces—men and women who stand on the road for hours, often amid heat, dust, congestion and impatient motorists, to keep traffic moving and enforce restrictions.

Many commuters are now asking a simple but painful question:

What is happening to the civic sense of our city?

Traffic restrictions are imposed for public safety, particularly when major construction work is underway. Disagreement with a restriction cannot become a licence to abuse, threaten or allegedly assault a police officer.

No One Should Be Above the Law

The issue should not be viewed through the lens of political affiliation, social status, influence or identity.

If the allegations are established through the viral video, witness statements, medical evidence and other material collected during investigation, the law should take its course firmly and impartially.

At the same time, the accused persons are entitled to due process and a fair investigation, and guilt must ultimately be determined by the competent court.

But one principle must remain unquestionable: a police or traffic personnel performing lawful duty must be able to discharge that responsibility without fear of assault, intimidation or humiliation.

As the country prepares to celebrate Independence Day, this incident should make every citizen pause and reflect.

Independence is not freedom to ignore the law. Democracy does not mean disrespecting those entrusted with enforcing it.

Berhampur deserves a culture where citizens cooperate with traffic personnel, where disagreements are handled peacefully, and where the dignity of both citizens and law-enforcement personnel is respected.

The viral images may disappear from social media in a few days. But the question they have raised should not disappear:

What kind of Berhampur do we want to leave for the next generation—one governed by law and mutual respect, or one where power, anger and arrogance are allowed to prevail on the streets?

The answer lies not only with the police administration, but with every citizen of the city