Jajpur: A case has been filed in the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) over the police attack on Dharitri’s Puri correspondent Dattatreya Nayak, a report said.
The petition filed by defendant Bhajaman Biswal has been admitted (case no-8500/IN/2021) for hearing by the national rights body. In his petition, Biswal has prayed before the NHRC to direct the state government to pay Rs 3,00,000 compensation to the scribe through its Chief Secretary for violation of his human rights, life and freedom.
Biswal has prayed that the compensation amount should be deducted from the salary of the police officials involved in the attack on the scribe. The heinous assault on Nayak has infringed on his life, freedom, and dignity and is misuse of power of the police officials for which criminal proceedings may be initiated against the concerned police officials and stringent action to be initiated against them, the plea said.
Biswal has mentioned that Nayak was discharging his professional duty without fearing for his life during the Covid-19 pandemic when the police officials attacked him. The Odisha government has pronounced the scribes as Covid warriors who are working towards the protection and welfare of the citizens. The state government has freed media from the restrictions of Covid-19 induced lockdowns but the Puri police chose to attack him, Biswal stated.
PNN