Bhubaneswar: Troubles appeared to have mounted for Inspector In-Charge (IIC) of Pattamundai Model Police Station, Bandana Patra, with the Odisha government seeking a thorough probe into her alleged harassment and intimidation of a Forest department official.
In a letter to the Inspector General of Police, Central Range, Special Secretary to the Forest department has sought a fair and independent probe into the IIC’s alleged harassment, intimidation and obstruction of duty to ACF, Rajnagar Forest Division, while performing his government duty.
The communication from the Forest department was sent following a petition from ACF Gagan Bihari Mallik received through the general secretary of Odisha Forest Service Association.
Notably, Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) of Rajnagar in Kendrapada district, has Gagan Bihari Mallick alleged that the IIC tried to create obstruction in the investigation during a crackdown on pangolin scale smugglers on January 21.
Accusing Patra of misbehaving with him forest department officials, he had stated earlier that the IIC allegedly slapped false case against forest department personnel instead of facilitating probe against those involved in wildlife offences.
It was alleged in the petition that the IIC created obstruction in discharge of duty during a lawful investigation of a sensitive wildlife crime on January 21.
“Therefore, you are requested to kindly conduct enquiry and take necessary action as deem proper at the earliest, under intimation to this department,” said Forest department’s letter to the IG.
Strongly protesting alleged harassment and highhandedness of the police official, the foresters’ association had also threatened to launch cease work agitation if stringent action is not taken against the IIC.
Bibhuti Tarai, president of the foresters’ association expressed the hope that appropriate action would be taken against the police official.
Meanwhile, IIC Bandana Patra was not immediately available for comment on the allegations made against her.
