12 Arrested in Odisha Dalit Men Torture Case; Prime Accused Apprehended

In a significant development, the Odisha Police have arrested the prime accused, Rajesh Samal, and two others in connection with the barbaric torture of two Dalit men, Babula Nayak and Bulu Nayak. The assault took place in Ganjam district on June 22nd. The arrest of Samal marks a critical step in the ongoing investigation, bringing the total number of arrests to twelve. The victims were targeted under the false pretense of cattle smuggling. The attackers demanded a sum of Rs 30,000 from the victims. When they were unable to pay, the victims were subjected to horrific treatment including being beaten, partially shaved, and forced to crawl and consume grass and drain water. The police are actively pursuing other suspects in the case. The incident has drawn strong reactions, with various political parties expressing their views on the matter.