Odisha journalist chained to hospital bed after arrest

Loknath Dalei, 50, the journalist, accused the local inspector of harbouring a grudge against him over his reporting

Updated on: Apr 8, 2022, 13:57:56 IST

By Debabrata Mohanty

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Bhubaneswar: Police in Odisha’s Balasore allegedly chained a journalist’s leg to a hospital bed on Thursday hours after he hospitalised following his arrest in an assault case.

Loknath Dalei, 50, the journalist, accused Draupadi Das, the local police inspector, of harbouring a grudge against him over the publication of news regarding the failure in curbing brown sugar smuggling. He added the case was registered against him after a home guard’s two-wheeler hit his motorcycle on Monday. He added he snatched the guard’s helmet and asked for damages before returning it.

Dalei, a reporter with Odia daily Sambad and TV channel Kanak News, said on Wednesday afternoon Das and another policeman snatched his mobile after telling him that the guard has registered a case against him. “I was then arrested. Within moments, I passed out and was sent to the hospital. This [Thursday] morning, I found myself on the floor of the hospital with my left leg chained. It was removed at 11.30 am.”

Dalei, who said he will file a complaint with National Human Rights Commission, also alleged he was assaulted at the local police station.

Balasore’s police superintendent Sudhansu Sekhar Mishra said he has directed a probe and sought a report. A havildar was suspended and action was expected to be taken against Das.

“This is unfortunate and illegal. The matter has been taken very seriously.... If need be, action will be taken against [Das]... on basis of the probe,” said inspector general Narasingha Bhol.

Journalist across the state wore black badges and sat on dharnas demanding strict action against the police. The Editor’s Guild of India urged the Centre to take immediate cognisance of police excesses against journalists and civil society members, and issue stern directions to all levels of law enforcement agencies to respect democratic values and freedom of press. “At the same time strict action needs to be taken against those who misuse state power,” it said in a statement.

In Balasore, journalists took out a protest rally condemning the incident and demanded immediate suspension of Das.

Sukanta Nayak, the local legislator, accused Das of high-handedness. “I have apprised the higher-ups about her arrogance. The chief minister should take action.”

Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who is from Odisha, said such attacks on journalists need to be condemned. “Action should be taken.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Debabrata Mohanty
Debabrata Mohanty is a senior assistant editor of Hindustan Times who works as state correspondent from Odisha covering the state's politics, governance, public policy, natural disasters, environment and its society for close to three decades. With his long years of reporting from the state capital of Bhubaneswar, Mohanty has been known as one of the most experienced and credible journalists covering Odisha for the national English dailies. His reporting combines on-ground detail with deep institutional knowledge detailing the state's changing politics, governance issues, administrative reforms and the functioning of its public institutions. He has regularly reported on issues ranging from legislative developments and public policy implementation. Politics is his core areas of expertise as he closely tracks Odisha's political landscape, including the rise and transformation of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), the two principal political parties in Odisha. His long association with the state's political establishment enables him to write on contemporary developments in a larger political context. Mohanty takes a deep interest in writing human interest stories, environmental issues and documenting the impact of cyclones, floods, heatwaves, and other climate-related events in one of the most disaster-prone states. His coverage extends to public health, governance reforms and stories on accountability of government institutions. Before joining Hindustan Times, Mohanty worked with The Indian Express, Mail Today, and The Telegraph, where he covered at least six general elections and as many assembly elections. In 2007, he was selected for the prestigious Chevening Young Indian Print Journalist Programme at the University of Lincoln, United Kingdom, where he received advanced training in print journalism. In 2009 he won the Press Institute of India-International Committee of Red Cross award on conflict reporting for his on-ground reportage of 2008 Kandhamal riots.Read More

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