NHRC seeks report from Odisha DGP on attack on Journalist by drug addict

Bhubaneswar, Sep 3 (UNI) The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) today issued a notice to the Odisha Director General of Police, seeking a detailed report within two weeks regarding the attack on a journalist in Papadahandi, Nabarangpur district.

The Commission took suo motu cognisance of a media report stating that journalist Sumit Kumar Ghanta sustained multiple stab wounds on August 29, allegedly inflicted by a drug addict after the journalist had filed a complaint against him.

Ghanta was initially treated at the Papadahandi Community Health Centre (CHC) and later shifted to the Nabarangpur District Headquarters Hospital (DHH). Due to the critical nature of his injuries, he was referred to a hospital in Visakhapatnam for advanced treatment.
The NHRC observed that the contents of the news report, if true, raise serious concerns of human rights violations. Accordingly, it directed the Odisha DGP to submit a report covering both the status of the investigation and the health condition of the injured journalist.
The assailant, identified as Harekrushna Behera of Banka Sahi, allegedly under the influence of alcohol and drugs, attacked Ghanta with a sword while the journalist was returning home from Nabarangpur town.
When Ghanta attempted to overpower him and snatch the weapon, Behera stabbed him multiple times with a knife.
Local villagers rushed to the spot, overpowered Behera, and handed him over to the police after thrashing him.
Behera was also admitted to the Nabarangpur District Headquarters Hospital. Police have taken him into custody and launched an investigation into the incident.