Bhubaneswar RPF IIC suspended for assaulting Kanak TV Reporters

Following a massive outrage over the assault of two Journalists of Kanak TV and their subsequent detention, IIC of Bhubaneswar RPF, Sanjay Kumar Swain, has been suspended last evening. A probe has been ordered into the incident. The report will be submitted within 15 days.

The incident occurred yesterday morning when a Kanak TV reporter Satyajit Sena and Cameraman Shankar Patra were covering the agitation launched by passengers of Puri-Durg Express, which arrived 16 hours late. The agitated passengers staged a blockade on the track protesting against the log delay.

IIC Sanjay Swain, who was trying to remove the blockade with the help of RPF personnel, suddenly became violent and asked his jawans to use force. He even misbehaved with the female passengers and allegedly touched their sensitive parts while trying to push them away from the track.

The Kanak TV reporters claimed that they captured those moments in their camera, which annoyed the IIC. The IIC and his troops damaged the camera, snatched the cassette and beat up the journalists. The reporters as well as the passengers, including an infant, were detained at the RPF police stations for hours.

Local people, rights activists, social organisations, political parties as well as media people protested against the police brutality. They also staged a rail blockade. The IIC tried to bully everyone, but when the incident triggered a massive outrage, the top brass swung into action. The IIC was put under suspension and probe has been ordered. That put an end to the matter.

However, mere suspension is not the answer. The cassette must be made public or given to the probe panel. Strict action must be taken against the erring IIC and all involved if they are found guilty.