3 cops suspended, Cong stages protest

ROURKELA:  Even as three cops were suspended for dereliction of duty after the escape of a rape accused from the custody of Chhend police on June 19, the Rourkela Congress on Tuesday staged protest demanding immediate arrest of the escapee.

President George Tirkey alleged that the accused enjoyed political patronage. The 35-year-old accused, Kishore Das, was arrested for raping a married woman of Chhend Colony.

After his medical examination at Rourkela Government Hospital, Das managed to escape on a two-wheeler while being escorted by three police personnel. SP Mukesh Bhamoo said a havildar and two constables escorting the accused were placed under suspension soon after the incident. Efforts are on to trace and arrest the accused, he added.