MALKANGIRI : Kalimela police on Sunday night arrested four persons, who happen to be members of a panchayat, for driving a youth of MPV-20 village to commit suicide.The arrested persons were identified as Sanjay Mistry, Amrit Ray, Nrupati Das and Kartik Mistry, all belonging to MPV-20 village.The panchayat had assaulted a youth, identified as Dibakar Bepari, in public and imposed a penalty on him for helping a young couple elope. Feeling humiliated by the panchayat’s action, Dibakar had committed suicide on Friday night.
Dibakar had assisted a boy and a minor girl to flee from village some time back. Following a complaint by the girl’s father, the panchayat convened a meeting in the village and held the youth responsible for helping the lovers abscond. Later, he was assaulted in full public glare by the panchayat members and asked to pay 15,000. After returning home, Dibakar committed suicide.Kalimela IIC Ramprasad Nag said further investigation is on.