Two rifles missing from Titlagarh PS

BHUBANESWAR: Three days after Titlagarh police station was burnt down by irate locals, protesting death of a youth after alleged custodial torture, police on Tuesday detected missing of service rifles.
Police are clueless about two .303 rifles, which were kept in the police station. They alleged that during Saturday's melee, people took away the service rifles. This came to the fore after initial assessment of losses, official sources said.
According to SP (Balangir) R Prakash, the two rifles were found missing following torching of the police station by a mob. "They were service rifles. We are trying to find out who has taken them," said the SP.
Balangir town police allegedly tortured Basanta Pradhan, 33, in custody, leading to his death on Saturday. Police had taken him into custody in connection with cellphone theft of Balangir town police station inspector Tareque Ahmed's wife.
Titlagarh sub-divisional police officer (SDPO) Dilip Purohit said all files and documents were reduced to ashes following the incident.
"It will take some time to rebuild the police station," said Purohit.
He parried question whether the two police inspectors (of Titlagarh and Balangir police stations), who were suspended for dereliction of duty, will be arrested. "Crime Branch is looking into the whole episode," the SDPO said.