Humiliated by panchayat, youth commits suicide 

MALKANGIRI : In gross violation of human rights norms, a panchayat in the district humiliated a youth in public and imposed a penalty on him for helping a young couple abscond. Feeling humiliated by the panchayat’s action, the youth committed suicide on Friday night.According to sources, Dibakar Bepari of MPV-20 village under Kalimela police limits had assisted a boy and minor girl flee from village some time back. Following complaint by the girl’s father, the panchayat convened a meeting in the village on Friday. The two lovers, who had returned to the village recently, were produced before the panchayat.

Announcing its verdict, the panchayat held Dibakar responsible for helping the lovers abscond. Dibakar was assaulted by panchayat members at the meeting and fined ` one lakh. When Dibakar expressed his inability to pay the amount, the panchayat finally told him to pay `15,000.

After returning home, Dibakar committed suicide the same night, said Ranindra Bepari, the brother of the deceased. After Ranindra filed an FIR at Kalimela police station on Saturday, police have started investigation into the matter. “We are taking steps to identify the panchayat members and others who are involved in the incident. They will be arrested soon,” said IIC of Kalimela Ramprasad Nag.
Meanwhile, all the panchayat members have left the village apprehending police action.