Kendrapara: A shocking incident of alleged abuse and physical assault on a woman sarpanch has come to light from Mahakalapada block in Odisha’s Kendrapada district.
Chameli Ojha, the young sarpanch of Tikhiri Panchayat, was allegedly subjected to filthy verbal abuse by goons linked to the ruling party inside the block office. Instead of protecting her, police reportedly sided with the assailants, forcibly took her to the police station, deleted evidence, and subjected her to physical assault.
Speaking to the media, Chameli said that development work in Mahakalapada block had come to a complete halt, with bills pending for the past six months. She visited the block office along with her brother and three other sarpanchs on Thursday to discuss the issue with the Block Development Officer (BDO). While the discussion was underway, 8–10 supporters of local MLA Durga Prasanna Nayak allegedly barged into the office and began hurling obscene abuses at her. When Chameli started recording the incident on her mobile phone, the men became aggressive and tried to snatch the device. Her brother was pushed and threatened when he intervened. The assailants allegedly issued threats, including gang rape, while accusing her of staging a drama for money.
The BDO reportedly left the spot as the situation worsened.
Upon receiving information, police reached the location but, instead of detaining the abusers, allegedly tried to seize Chameli’s mobile phone. As she attempted to leave on a bike with her brother, police stopped them midway. The same group was reportedly present behind the police vehicle. When her father arrived at the scene after hearing the news, he was pushed and silenced by the goons. Police allegedly continued efforts to snatch her phone. Chameli was then forcibly put into a police vehicle and taken to the police station. At the station, the Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) allegedly began using highly abusive language, calling her a prostitute and questioning why she was targeting the MLA. She was asked to align with the MLA’s supporters. When she refused to hand over her mobile, three female constables allegedly grabbed her by the hair, dragged her, and beat her on the back. One blow reportedly landed on her chest, causing her to collapse in severe pain. She was rushed to Mahakalapada hospital and later shifted to district headquarters hospital in Kendrapada, where she is currently undergoing treatment.
She mentioned about her protest against a demolition drive in Tikhiri Panchayat by blocking the path of a Tahsildar, an act that went viral on social media. She has the received widespread support online. “The development works in my block were stopped following the incident,” she added.
No reaction has been received so far from the Mahakalapada ASI or the MLA regarding the allegations.
In a strong show of solidarity, the Sarpanch Association has vehemently condemned the action against Chameli and threatened to launch a widespread agitation. The association has warned the administration that all member sarpanchs will completely non-cooperate with government developmental works.
The Counter Complaints
The BDO of Mahakalapada has filed a written complaint against the Sarpanch, alleging that she misbehaved with public servants on duty and illegally recorded video footage inside the government office premises without prior permission. A heated verbal altercation broke out between the Sarpanch and the BDO when the former went to the office to submit a memorandum protesting against the sudden suspension of several ongoing developmental projects in her panchayat area. The entire argument was allegedly broadcast live on social media by the Sarpanch.
Meanwhile, two cases have been registered against the Sarpanch, following allegations that she attacked the police and bit an officer’s finger. Besides Sections 121(1) and 133 of BNS, she has been booked under Sections 131, 132, and 3(5) for obstructing government work and group offence, alongside Section 296 in a second case over allegations of using obscene language inside the police station.
