Locals Allege Custodial Death Of Youth, Gherao Police Station In Odisha’s Sundargarh

Rourkela: Tension ran high at Biramitrapur town in Sundargarh district on Thursday after irate locals gheraoed the police station following the death of a 26-year-old, allegedly in police custody.

Sources said that Biramitrapur cops picked up Tariq Salim Tariq, an automobile mechanic working in a garage, on Wednesday in connection with a kidnapping case and brought him to the police station for interrogation. However, the youth died next morning.

Claiming that the death was a result of severe thrashing in the police station, locals said that they saw multiple injury marks on the youth’s body.

Ruling out allegations of custodial death, Sundargarh SP Sagarika Nath said that the youth was rushed to the community health centre (CHC) at Kuarmunda after he complained of uneasiness. However, on the advice of doctors, he was shifted to Rourkela Government Hospital (RGH), where he was declared brought dead.

The SP further said that since there is an allegation of custodial death, a judicial probe will be conducted in accordance with the guidelines of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).

“The inquest will be video-graphed and the post mortem will be conducted by a team of doctors. Besides, a DSP-ranked officer of the Human Rights Protection Cell (HRPC) will conduct a probe and we recommend a judicial inquiry. Strict action will be taken against those found guilty, she added.

Also Read: Bihar Education Minister Resigns Three Days After Taking Oath On Corruption Charges