Orissa Police Association to boycott VIP duties

Cuttack, Jan 25 (PTI) Seeking stern action against theruling BJD MP from Cuttack Bhartuhari Mahtab for allegedlyassaulting a policeman, the Orissa Police Associationtoday announced its decision to boycott all VIP securityduties from tonight.

The OPA has informed its decision to the DeputyCommissioner of Police (DCP) A N Sinha this evening. "We wouldhowever, continue the normal law and order duties and otherassignments like crime control", said OPA secretary SunilMohanty.

Mohanty said that the Republic Day celebrations heretomorrow to be attended by the chief minister Naveen Patnaikwould not hampered by the boycott of VIP duties as thethe chief minister has his own security arrangements.

Meanwhile, the city police claimed that they have madesubstantial progress in the case against the MP as evidencehave been collected in the matter and the examination ofeyewitnesses are over.

Sub-inspector Amitabh Mohapatra had filed a complaintagainst the local MP for assaulting him during duty recentlyat Netaji Museum in Cuttack and the police hadregistered a criminal case against the Mahtab, an editorturned politician. The MP had denied the charge filed byMohapatra.

According to sources, Mahtab is now in Japan onan official assignment.