Jajpur: A video of an irate mob publicly thrashing a former sarpanch on a busy street near Rambag chhak with belt in Odisha’s Jajpur district three days back went viral on the social media on Saturday.
The brutality captured on a mobile phone camera shows around 8-10 youths attacking Laxmidhar Sahu, a former sarpanch of Dasrathpur block of the district when he was going for some work riding a motorcycle. According to reports, the attack on the former sarpanch is a fall-out of an enmity over past panchayat elections.
The video shows that two to three youths stopped Sahu’s motorbike near Rambag chhak and assaulted him with belt in public view. Sahu called for help, but no one came forward to rescue him.
Later, talking to the media, Sahu claimed, “Around eight to ten youths were involved in the assault. While several people were present nearby, none came to my rescue despite repeated pleas.”
According to reports, an injured Sahu was later admitted to Jajpur hospital and when his condition deteriorated, he was shifted to a medical facility in Cuttack. Recently, he was discharged from the health centre.
The Jajpur Town Police arrested three youths on the basis of a complaint filed in connection with the incident. While the accused have been forwarded to a local court, further investigation is underway.
