Angul: Tension ran high after the minor inmates of Bal Sudhar Gruha (observation home) here went on a rampage and beat up the chowkidar black and blue before setting a motorcycle of their teacher on fire over demands and assault of a fellow inmate here Tuesday.
The inmates after assaulting the chowkidar KLN Reddy locked him in a room and set afire the motorcycle of their teacher Antaryami Rout. Later, they staged a sit-in outside the main gate of the observation home demanding fulfillment of their demands.
On being informed, Angul IIC Ramesh Chandra Bisoi and tehsildar Bichitrananda Nayak rushed to the spot but they refused to talk with them.
Later, SP Mitrabhanu Mohapatra, sub-collector Basudev Satapathy, SDPO Harihar Pani rushed to the spot and tried to placate the agitating inmates. The SP assured to take up their demands with the higher-ups and to transfer the employees against whom they have complained. The chowkidar was rescued and admitted to the hospital.
The inmates alleged that they are made to live in inhuman conditions inside the home and are being assaulted by the staff at the slightest pretext. They are beaten up if anyone of them was found not to have untied the mosquito net on bed when the room door is unlocked. They are even beaten up if any of them found brushing teeth, washing utensils, washing clothes in the toilet and failure in attending the prayer class.
They are being served sub-standard food to eat while the staff engages them in their personal work.
When contacted, the SP said he will apprise the higher ups about the demand of the inmates and a probe will undertaken on the assault of the chowkidar
The sub-collector said that the demand of inmates over food quality will be checked by making surprise visit to the home.
The observation home head Amir Nathsharma said that the inmates were trying flee the home but their plans were foiled due to timely arrival of the police which was later rejected by the SP. Angul police registered a case on the assault of the chowkidar and torching of the motorcycle and started an investigation.
PNN