Police officer transferred

A police officer in Odisha's Ganjam district was transferred on Thursday, two days after he allegedly assaulted an advocate in a police station of which he was the in-charge.

Inspector In-Charge (IIC) of Buguda police station, Rama Chandra Biswal, was transferred to the district headquarters at Chhatrapur, a senior police officer said.

DIG (southern range) Asish Singh transferred Biswal and asked the SP (Ganjam) Brijesh Rai to submit a report on the role of the IIC in the incident in which he allegedly assaulted advocate Hara Prasad Das on Tuesday.

The DIG also directed the SP to supervise the cases registered relating to the incidents, while a DSP-rank officer will investigate the cases.

At least four cases and counter cases have been registered relating to the incidents, sources said. The cases were registered against the IIC and advocate, police added.

"Further steps will be taken after getting the report," said the DIG.

Earlier, a delegation of Ganjam Bar Association (GBA) led by its president Mohan Singari submitted a memorandum to the DIG seeking suspension and arrest of the police officer.

"We also urged the DIG to take measures to prevent such atrocities by any police officer against advocates in future," said Singari.

Condemning the police action on an advocate, the GBA resorted cease-work agitation for a day, he said.

A heated exchange of words broke out between the advocate and police following which policemen allegedly assaulted him in the police station on Tuesday.

Das was injured and admitted to a hospital. He had gone to the police station to discuss with the police in a land-related case of his client.