2 Cops Suspended, 3 Homeguards Terminated in Kandhamal Following Mysterious Death of Ganja Smuggler

Phulbani: Two cops were suspended and three homeguards were terminated by the Kandhamal SP on Wednesday for their alleged involvement in the ‘murder’ of a ‘ganja smuggler’ in the district.

The five are alleged to have mowed down one ganja smuggler Jyestha Bandaki by a four-wheeler. The body of Bandaki was dumped by the erring policemen at Danganamu ghat under Gochapada police station limits. They allegedly escaped with the money, ganja, and liquor that Bandaki was smuggling. Bandaki’s family members had complained against the the ‘errant’ cops.

The suspended police personnel were SI Ajit Kumar Behera and constable Ramchandra Nayak. Three homeguards- Abhiram Mahanand, Jagabandhu Kanhar and Ratnakar Nayak have been terminated from their jobs.

According to sources, Bandaki was a ganja smuggler from Boudh. He along with his friend was smuggling ganja when a police van chased them. The police van allegedly hit Bandaki’s bike, who was seriously injured. His friend managed to escape. It is alleged that the erring cops assaulted and killed injured Bandaki and disposed his body in a forest in Danganamu ghat, his family members alleged. Further probe into the incident is on.