Bhubaneswar: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognizance of the alleged atrocities meted out to two Dalit men in Odisha’s Ganjam district some days ago.

The rights body has served notices on the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police (DGP) in Odisha in connection with the incident. Both the officials were asked to submit a detailed report in this regard within two weeks.

The NHRC has asked the Chief Secretary and DGP to mention about the action taken against the perpetrators and provision of compensation, if any, to the victims in their reports.

 As per the allegations, two Dalit men were subjected to mental and physical torture by a group of people at Kharigumma village under Dharakote police station in Ganjam on June 22.

The two men, Bulu Nayak and Babula Nayak, of Singipur village of Dharakote block, were returning home after buying three cows to gift them as dowry during the marriage of a daughter of their family.

A group of people stopped the duo midway and demanded money from them by accusing them of smuggling cattle.

Upon refusal, the two Dalit men were allegedly assaulted and their heads were tonsured partially. They were forced to crawl on their knees for nearly two kms. Moreover, the victims were also made to eat grass and drink drainage water.  

The police have arrested at least eight persons in connection with the incident.