Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force team recovered the body of Lanjiberna outpost in-charge Nabin Patel from Badjore rivulet in Sundergarh on Sunday. Picture by Uttam Kumar Pal

Rourkela, Aug. 12: A police officer died after being beaten up and thrown into a hilly rivulet at a village in Sundergarh district last night.

His body was found around 3km downstream today. The incident took place when a seven-member police team, led by Lanjiberna police outpost in-charge Nabin Patel, an assistant sub-inspector, went to Durbahal village to execute an arrest warrant in a case related to the assault on Wesco, a power supply company, officials four months ago.

“When the police took the accused into custody, he raised an alarm. Consequently, his brother and other villagers surrounded the police team and attacked them with traditional weapons,” said deputy inspector-general of police Y.K. Jethwa.

While five policemen managed to escape, the mob caught hold of Patel and his driver Birendra Sahu and beat them up. “The irate villagers then tied both of them to the jeep and took it to the bridge over Badjore, a rivulet which was overflowing following heavy rains in the area. Then they pushed the jeep into the water,” said Sundergarh SP Sanjeev Arora.

The jeep was swept away by the heavy currents. Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (Odraf) was pressed into service to rescue the policemen and trace the jeep.

“Sahu managed to untie himself and swam to safety while Patel could not be traced till this morning. Finally, his body was found at Garbhana, three kilometres downstream,” said Arora.

“Seven persons have been arrested, including the elder brother of the person whom Patel and his team had gone to arrest,” said Jethwa.

The men of Durbahal and adjoining villages have fled fearing arrest. “A case has been registered under Section 302 of the IPC (murder),” said Jethwa.

Director general of police Prakash Mishra announced a compensation of Rs 4 lakh for the family of Patel, apart from a government job. They are expected to get more compensatory benefits from the state government.

Sources said the incident could have a demoralising effect on the police force deployed in the area that is also known for Maoist activities. Senior police officials were trying their best to shore up the morale of the men in khaki.