Balasore SP acts against outpost in-charge after tragic vigilante violence

Bhubaneswar, Dec 25: The Balasore Superintendent of Police (SP) has suspended Chandra Sekhar Mohanty, in-charge of the Sartha police outpost, for alleged negligence in duty following a violent incident in Sartha village.

According to reports, Ajay Das, a local cloth store owner, had lodged a complaint with the Sartha police about a burglary at his shop. Despite the complaint, no action was reportedly taken, and the stolen items remained unrecovered.

On December 22, frustrated by inaction, Ajay Das and his two sons apprehended four youths—Trilochan Pradhan, Satish Singh, Bhanu Pradhan, and Tapu Mohanty—suspecting them of theft. They took the suspects to a nearby electric pole, where they were brutally assaulted using iron rods and wooden sticks.

Family members of the accused pleaded with Chandra Sekhar Mohanty to intervene and stop the illegal actions, but their requests allegedly went unanswered. Tragically, Trilochan Pradhan succumbed to his injuries on the spot, while the other three were critically injured and hospitalized.

The incident, which occurred just 500 meters from the Sartha police outpost, has raised serious concerns about law enforcement's role in preventing such acts of vigilantism.

Taking cognizance of the matter, the SP of Balasore has suspended Mohanty for his failure to act, ensuring accountability within the police department.