Andhra Police refunded Rs 2.5 lakh they had extorted from two youths of Koraput district after subjecting them to torture.
Intervention Brings Relief to Victims. The incident involved two youths from Bilaput Panchayat under Nandapur block in Koraput district — Ramamurti Niriki and Suresh Khila.
Andhra Police from Muchimpur station picked them up, tortured them in an abandoned house, and demanded money by threatening to implicate them in a ganja smuggling case.
The families paid Rs 2.5 lakh to secure their release. After Pragtibadi newspaper published the story, Koraput district administration and Odisha government intervened strongly.
Human rights activist Anup Kumar Patra also drew the attention of the National Human Rights Commission. In response, Madugula CI Srinivas Rao visited Machkund Police Station and held discussions with the victims and their families. Following the inquiry, Andhra Police returned the full amount on Friday.
A mediator reached Surumi village and handed over the Rs 2.5 lakh to the families. The victims and their families expressed happiness and gratitude. They thanked Pragtibadi, Machkund Police, district administration, and human rights activists for their support.
The two Odia youths had filed a complaint at Machkund Police Station against the Andhra Police for torture and extortion. This Andhra Police extortion case highlights cross-border police high-handedness and the importance of timely media and administrative intervention in protecting citizens’ rights.
