Chain Snatched, Beaten with Lathis: ENT Specialist Allegedly Assaulted by Traffic Constables

Angul: An ENT specialist at the District Headquarters Hospital (DHH) was allegedly assaulted by two traffic constables with lathis during a routine helmet check. The doctor sustained head injuries and bruises on his body.

The incident happened early morning on August 12, when after receiving an emergency call; Dr Kamalakant Jena was going from his residence to the hospital on his motorcycle. According to Dr Jena, he was in a hurry to attend a serious patient at the hospital and forgot his helmet.

The doctor stated that when he reached Thana Chhak, he was asked by police personnel deployed there to stop. He was ready to pay the fine for not wearing the helmet but the constables allegedly hurled abuses at him. When he protested, he was beaten up by two constables using batons.

“When I was stopped on the road during helmet check, I went to the cops and paid Rs 100 as fine for not wearing a helmet. However, the cop talked roughly with slur words. He snatched my gold chain from neck and started beating me with the stick without mercy,” Dr Jena broke down while narrating the incident.

“I admit that I had committed mistake for not wearing a helmet while riding the vehicle on the road. But, it does not mean that the cop will assault and hurt physically,” the injured doctor added while speaking to Odisha Sun-times.

The doctor suffered injuries on his head and on his body. After the locals came to the rescue, he was taken to the nearby Angul hospital for treatment.

While informing Odisha TV about the incident, an eyewitness said, “Around 11 am today I saw police constables attacking Dr Jena. After my intervention, they stopped and later we brought him to the hospital. This is a blatant misuse of power.”

Meanwhile, the Odisha Medical Services Association (OMSA) President has lodged a complaint at the Angul police station in connection with the incident. The Association has also warned that healthcare service will be discontinued if no action is taken against these constables.

The accused cops have also lodged a counter complaint with the police. Following the complaints, the police have initiated a probe into the matter.

"We have received two complaints from both sides. The doctor said he had no helmet and when he was ready to pay fine, he was abused and beaten up by the two constables on his head. The constables, on the other hand, said when they caught the doctor riding with a helmet, he engaged in a verbal duel saying he was a doctor. We have registered two cases and launched investigations," Inspector In-charge of Angul Police Station Ramesh Besoi confirmed to The Telegraph.