Demanding arrest of some Excise officials responsible for illegal arrest of a youth on charge of ganja smuggling and his death due to police excess nine days later, tribals held a road blockade by keeping the body on road in Kandhamal district.
Sources said Rinku Mukhi and his elder brother of Saitingia village under Firingia police station of Kandhamal on November 13 were going to Baisipada of Boudh district, when they were waylaid by Excise officials near Ranipathar Ghat. According to Rinku, the officials scolded and assaulted them, alleging that they were smuggling ganja. But when they didn't get ganja during search, they released Rinku and demanded Rs 50,000 for the release of his brother. As Rinku could not arrange the money, he subsequently got a phone call that his brother had been admitted at hospital at Phulbani with head injury.
However, he was later referred to MKCG Medical College and Hospital, Brahampur and then to SCB Medical College, Cuttack and on November 21 was declared dead.
Alleging that his brother was killed by the police by assaulting him black and blue, Rinku lodged an FIR against Excise ASI Payal Ross and other officials like TK Panigrahi. Meanwhile, the agitating tribals demanded a proper investigation into the case and arrest of the accused officials.
