Four arrested for assaulting journalist in Odisha’s Bolangir

A video which has gone viral on social media shows the culprits repeatedly kicking the scribe on the face.

By Mahendra Darjee

Bhubaneswar, May 26: Odisha Police arrested four people, including a juvenile, for assaulting journalist Bijay Pradhan in Bolangir district, sparking outrage across the media community.

The attack occurred Saturday in Kulthipali village under Puintala police limits, where Pradhan had gone to investigate alleged irregularities in the construction of a government-funded guard wall. Eyewitnesses and police said that while Pradhan was collecting information and taking photographs, a group confronted him. The assailants snatched his mobile phone, microphone, and other equipment, tied his hands, and violently beat him in public.

A video of the assault, showing the attackers repeatedly kicking Pradhan in the face, went viral on social media, drawing widespread condemnation and raising concerns over journalists’ safety, especially at the grassroots level.

Following Pradhan’s complaint and video evidence, Bolangir police registered a case and arrested four accused within 48 hours. The arrested include Abhinash Dalai, Aditya Jena, Gumara Nayak, and a minor whose identity is withheld by law.

Superintendent of Police Abhilash G said the investigation suggests the contractor involved in the guard wall construction may have instigated the attack. “His involvement is being probed and he will be arrested if found guilty,” he added.

The incident drew sharp criticism from journalist associations like the Odisha Union of Journalists and several social organizations. They demanded strict action against all involved, including the contractor, and urged the state government to ensure journalists’ safety—particularly in rural areas where they face challenging and hostile environments.