Biranjan Mallick, a journalist working for �Khabar�, an Oriya newspaper in Balanga, Puri district, was brutally attacked by some ruling party members including a Sarpanch in uninda Viilage under Uchhupur GramPanchayat.
The incident happened a day after a report was published in his newspaper regarding irregularities in NREGA works. The sarapanch (the elected president of Village Cluster) Asok Kumar Dash and his supporters were angry when they saw a vigilance team making enquiries about the NREGA scam in the village.
According to reports, the journalist was tied to a pillar and thrashed. His mobile phone and valuables were snatched and he could only be rescued by other journalists, who reached the spot.
Balanga police registered a case under SC/ST Act and arrested three persons but the prime accused, the sarpanch, is still at large.
The journalist was also threatened and is fearful for his life and that of his family.