Bhubaneswar: Dharakote Police on Thursday arrested the prime accused in the brutal assault and humiliation of two Dalit men at Dharakote in Ganjam district, allegedly on suspicion of cattle smuggling.
With the apprehension of 20-year-old Rajesh Samal of Jahada, the total number of arrests in the case has risen to 12, including one juvenile.
“Police have launched a manhunt to apprehend others involved in this incident,” said Chandrika Swain, Inspector-in-Charge of Dharakote police station.
According to reports, on Sunday, the accused detained Babula Nayak (54) and Bulu Nayak of Singipur panchayat at Kharigumma while they were transporting two cows and a calf in an auto-rickshaw. Rajesh Samal and his accomplices allegedly tortured the victims, suspecting them to be cattle smugglers.
The police further revealed that the accused demanded Rs 30,000 from the victims. They also forced Babula and Bulu to crawl on their knees for nearly two kilometers, made them eat grass, and drink drain water.
“The victims clarified that they were not involved in cattle smuggling; the animals were intended as gifts for Babula Nayak’s daughter’s wedding. However, their pleas were ignored, and they were subjected to inhumane treatment,” the police added.
A district administration team, led by Sub-Collector Uma Shankar Behera of Bhanjanagar, visited the victims’ homes and provided Rs 10,000 each from the Red Cross fund as relief.
