Arunachal: Zero FIR against cop who beat up man out to get meds for sick child

Aalo: The Arunachal Pradesh unit of the International Human Rights Organisation (IHRO) has lodged a ‘Zero FIR’ at the police station here against one S K Singh, a constable of Mechuka police station and others for allegedly assaulting one Tachuk Padu while in custody.

The Zero FIR lodged by IHRO state general secretary Kenbom Bagra and the organization’s advisor Ogong Tamuk on Tuesday stated that Padu, a panchayat leader of Padusa village in Shi-Yomi district, was brutally assaulted by the police led by constable Singh at the Mechukha police station on March 18, inflicting grievous bodily injuries on Padu.

Padu is currently undergoing treatment at Tomo Riba Institute of Health and Medical Sciences in Naharlagun.

As per the statement given by Padu, he was taken to the Mechuka police station on the evening of March 18 and was badly beaten up the entire night by constable Singh for a petty case. This act of Singh not only violates the provisions of ST/SC (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, but also his human rights, the IHRO stated in its complaint.

In his interview to the media, Padu also shared that constable Singh was instructed from the higher level to put him (Padu) under custody and torture him which seems to be unfortunate. After the incident, Padu was booked under sections 447/353/323/506 of the IPC which seems to be fishy and an effort to cover-up the wrong doing and the atrocities of the police, the organization said.

The IHRO has demanded a proper investigation into the case.

Padu’s brother Taje had earlier lodged a complaint with the state unit of the IHRO, alleging police brutality and also that his brother had been arrested without any reasonable grounds.

Meanwhile, the All Shi-Yomi District Students’ Union (ASYDSU) has also demanded immediate suspension of constable Singh and a magisterial and departmental inquiry in the matter.

The union in a representation submitted to Shi-Yomi deputy commissioner Mito Dirchi on Tuesday also demanded that the FIR lodged against Singh be registered.

The ASYDSU has further threatened to launch a democratic movement in the district if its demands are not met in the next seven days.

Meanwhile, it is learnt that the staff on sentry duty at the time of the incident has been closed to district lines and an inquiry has been initiated.

The inquiry will be conducted by the District SP and report shall be submitted within 2 days. Necessary action on the sentry shall be taken after the inquiry gets completed.

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