Tensions flared in Odisha’s Bolangir district after a journalist investigating a public construction project was tied up and brutally beaten in front of villagers. The attack, which took place in Kulthipali village on Saturday, has triggered widespread outrage and calls for stricter protection for media personnel working in rural regions.
The journalist, identified as Bijay Pradhan, had reportedly traveled to the village to gather information and take photographs related to suspected corruption in the building of a protective guard wall. As he began documenting the site, he was reportedly surrounded by several individuals who restrained and assaulted him, seizing his mobile phone, microphone, and reporting tools.
Visual evidence from the scene widely shared on social media captured the shocking moment when one of the accused kicked Pradhan in the face as he lay tied up on the ground. The video has since drawn strong criticism from media circles and press freedom advocates.
Police Took Immediate Steps After Formal Complaint
Following a formal complaint lodged by Pradhan at Puintala police station and the emergence of the video footage, police acted quickly. Four individuals, including a minor, have been taken into custody. The three adults have been named as Abhinash Dalai, Aditya Jena, and Gumara Nayak.
Senior police official Abhilash G confirmed the arrests and revealed that preliminary inquiries point toward a possible larger conspiracy. Authorities suspect that the contractor responsible for the guard wall construction may have influenced or instigated the attack. “We are taking this incident very seriously. If the contractor’s role is confirmed, he too will be arrested,” the official stated.
Beyond the assault itself, the incident has highlighted a deeper issue: the vulnerability of journalists, especially in remote regions, who risk their safety to report on government accountability and misuse of funds. Several Odisha-based journalists and national media voices have spoken out, demanding a transparent investigation and improved safeguards for the press.
Similar Assault Case Came to Light This Year
In a chilling reminder of the risks journalists face, this case echoes another tragedy that occurred earlier this year. On January 3, journalist Mukesh Chandrakar was found dead under mysterious circumstances. Investigations later revealed he had been targeted for exposing corrupt practices. His killing shocked the media fraternity and remains a dark example of the threats journalists continue to face across the country.
As the probe into Pradhan’s assault deepens, officials are also reviewing the integrity of the construction project itself, which may now face an audit or further legal scrutiny.
