Barang/Bhubaneswar: A major road blockade on the busy Bhubaneswar-Cuttack road was lifted after nearly six hours on Friday amid mounting tension over allegations of third-degree torture of a youth at Barang Police Station in Cuttack district.
Vehicular movement between Bhubaneswar and Cuttack came to a complete halt after family members and villagers from Chandi Prasad village staged a protest in front of the police station opposing the alleged attempt by police to shift Rakesh Behera, who is undergoing treatment in Cuttack, without informing his family.
Earlier in the day, agitated villagers had also stormed the police station demanding action against the personnel allegedly involved in the incident. However, following discussions and persuasion by senior police officials, the protesters withdrew the blockade.
Meanwhile, Director General of Police Y.B. Khurania has sought an investigation report from the Police Commissioner over the incident.
Rejecting the allegations, Cuttack DCP Khilari Rishikesh Dnyandeo said Rakesh was not subjected to torture at Barang Police Station. He claimed that the youth had been released within 24 hours after being called for questioning and that there was no evidence of custodial assault.
The DCP further stated that Rakesh had been suffering from kidney-related ailments.
According to the background of the case, police had brought Rakesh to the station on May 21 in connection with the recovery of a woman’s body from the Kathajodi riverbed. Since Rakesh’s wife had earlier been reported missing at the same police station, police suspected the body might be hers.
Family members alleged that even after his wife was traced, Rakesh was not released immediately and was allegedly assaulted during interrogation. They further claimed that he was later admitted to hospital by the police.
Rakesh has been undergoing treatment at SCB Medical College Hospital since May 25. The family alleged that his condition remains critical, which further fuelled public anger on Friday.
