Bhubaneswar, May 9: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday evening chaired a high-level meeting at Lok Seva Bhawan regarding the mob lynching incident reported from the Balianta area on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar.

After holding a detailed discussion on the incident, the Chief Minister directed the Crime Branch to conduct a proper and thorough investigation into the case and take stringent action against all those found guilty.

Majhi also instructed Director General of Police YB Khurania to remain alert and vigilant to ensure that such incidents are not repeated in future.

Emphasising the need to uphold the rule of law in the state, the Chief Minister directed police authorities to take the strictest possible action to maintain law and order.

The high-level meeting was attended by Advisor to Chief Minister, Prakash Mishra; Chief Secretary Anu Garg, Additional Chief Secretary of Home Department Hemant Sharma, DGP YB Khurania, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Saswata Mishra, Intelligence Director RP Koche, Additional Director General (Law and Order) Sanjay Kumar, ADG Crime Branch Vinaytosh Mishra, Police Commissioner S Dev Datta Singh and DCP Jagmohan Meena, among others.

Also Read: ‘Had Locals Not Come, We Wouldn’t Survive’, Say Women in Balianta Case

According to police and local sources, the incident occurred in the Bhingarpur area under Balianta police limits when two youths travelling on a motorcycle allegedly collided with a scooter carrying two women, following which an argument broke out between them.

The women later alleged that the youths attempted to sexually assault and misbehave with them. They reportedly raised an alarm and also dialled the emergency helpline 112 seeking assistance.

Hearing the commotion and cries for help, locals rushed to the spot and allegedly overpowered one of the youths, identified as Soumya Ranjan Swain. He was allegedly tied with bamboo sticks and brutally assaulted in broad daylight.

Soumya, a Government Railway Police constable, later succumbed to his injuries. Another injured youth, Om Prakash Rout, was discharged from the hospital after receiving treatment.

Police on Saturday detained two more persons from Benupur village in connection with the case. With six more arrests after five accused were initially sent to jail, the total number of arrests in the mob lynching case has risen to 11.