Raipur, Jun 8 (IANS): A Chhattisgarh policeman was on Monday sent on leave and a probe was launched as a video went viral on social media showing him mercilessly beating up a youth in front of his mother in Covid-19 containment zone on outskirts of Raipur.

The incident took place on Sunday morning in Birgaon area under Urla police station limits, which has been declared as a containment zone after cases of Covid-19 surged in recent days.

In the video, a man clad in black shirt and blue jeans is seen ruthlessly beating, with a stick, a man who was riding a motorcycle. The cop, who was later identified as Urla Police Station Thana incharge Nitin Upadhyay, even pushed the man's mother who was pillion rider and tried to save her son.

The video was widely shared on social media platforms and thousands of people reacted angrily to cop's brutal act and later Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel stepped in the matter realising that the issue could affect image of his government.

"This is inhuman and not acceptable. Departmental enquiry has been constituted and he has been sent on leave," Baghel posted on his Twitter handle.

But netizens termed the departmental probe and 'forced leave' a move to cover up the brutality and sought immediate suspension of the police officer.