In that shocking incident, as per the report of eyewitnesses and reliable sources a group of advocates went to the office of the Sub Registrar to protest against the hike in the registration fees. They insisted that since they have obtained a status qou order from the Hon'ble High court, the registration should be done in the pre revised rates. When Mr. Dehury insisted on a written communication from the high court, the lawyers argued with him and as tempers went high, abused and physically assaulted him. The Sub Registrar was beaten black and blue and he sustained grievous injuries on his person.When the Collector Sambalpur came to know of the incident, she rushed to the spot. Meanwhile the advocates had boarded a bus to Burla to protest in front of the WESCO authorities against the frequent power cuts. At that moment Collector Sambalpur went inside the bus and asked the lawyers the reason for their unruly behaviour and the criminal attack on the sub registrar. This was taken as a provocation by the lawyers, who not only abused her, but as the complaint of Mrs. Darswal goes also tried to outrage her modesty. As if that was not enough, the lawyers followed Collector Sambalpur, where ever she went, threw stones at her vehicle and in a planned move, forcibly entered her residence and vandalized the furniture, important files, the official vehicle in the residence. Not even for a moment did they think that, a lady officer stays there with her two small kids.
The government employees, members of the civil society and intellectuals of Rayagada today carried out a peaceful rally today protesting against the assault on Sri. Dehury, Sub Registrar Sambalpur and Smt. Mrilalini Darswal, IAS Collector & District Magistrate, Sambalpur. The rally was led by Collector Rayagada. Most of those present in the rally wore black badges as a mark of protest. rally started from Ambedkar Chowk and culminated in the Ma Majhi Ghariani Temple. There were no slogans raised in the rally. All present in the rally unequivocally condemned the high handedness of the advocates, who crossed all limits of responsible behaviour when the manhandled and badly injured the Sub registrar and what can be described as epitome of contempt for democratic ethos and rule of law, barged inside the residence of Collector Sambalpur, where the lady officer stays with there two small kids and damaged property including the vehicle, furniture and some important files in the camp office of Collector Sambalpur.
This incident has evoked strong reactions throughout the country and the shameful acts of lawyers has been condemned by people all over the country. The govt employees of Rayagada district demanded a strong action against the criminals. The OAS association in Rayagada held an emergency meeting today and passed a resolution condemning the shameful lawless behaviour of the advocates and submitted a memorandum to the Governor of Odisha demanding a strong exemplary action against the culprits.
People from all walks of life have condemned this incident, in which the advocates have sent down the drain the reputation of what is considered one of the most reputed professions. Those who are supposed to work for the rule of law, behaved like hooligans and anti socials. One of the senior Gandhian in Rayagada said that the activities of the vandals would put to shame even the most shameless of the criminals. Some of the Gandhians have resolved to carry out a peaceful movement in front of Gandhi statue in Gandhi park, Rayagada to protest against the growing violence in public life in the country, particularly against the incidents of kidnapping which the extremists have indulged in recent times.
Collector Rayagada afer the rally said that there is no point pointing fingers at any particular the image profession. This incident should be looked as a handiwork of some anti social elements and condemned accordingly and that if highly educated and well meaning people like advocates behave like this, it is setting a very bad example for people in general.He also told that when people expect a clean, responsive and corruption free governance, people should also improve their thinking and public behaviour.
