Bhubaneswar: Dharakote police on Tuesday arrested nine persons in connection with the alleged assault and public humiliation of two Dalit men in Ganjam district.
The incident took place on Sunday in Jahada village under Dharakote police limits. The victims were reportedly accused of cattle smuggling and subjected to inhumane treatment — including being tonsured, forced to crawl, consume grass, and drink drain water.
The matter came to light after videos of the assault circulated on social media, triggering widespread outrage across political and civil society circles.
Southern Range DIG Niti Shekhar confirmed the arrests and said the accused would be produced in court shortly. Ganjam SP Suvendu Kumar Patra added that a case had been registered and further investigation was underway.
Reacting to the incident, the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee formed a fact-finding team and condemned the alleged torture.
