Puri: A day after a journalist of leading Odia daily Dharitri was assaulted by police at Badasankha here, DGP Abhay Thursday directed Puri SP to investigate the case and submit the report forthwith.
Deepak Kumar Sahoo, a fruit vendor, was assaulted by police on charges of violating Covid guidelines. Sahoo sustained injuries and was immediately rushed to a hospital. However, later some vegetable and fruit sellers of Badasankha staged a road blockade to protest the incident. They alleged police excesses.
Reporter Dattatreya Nayak, who works with leading Odia daily Dharitri, reached the spot to gather information. It was when he started clicking some photographs; the police assaulted him and dragged him into the PCR van.
Later, protesting against police highhandedness, Nayak staged a dharna on the Grand Road, prompting the police to come up with a press note.
“There was an unfortunate incident involving the policemen and a working journalist. The police action was not intentional and the issue was resolved amicably. The journalist will not opt for any legal recourse,” read the press note issued by the police.
PNN