Resubelpara(Meghalaya), Aug 12: A well known businessman from Garo Hills was allegedly assaulted by at least 2 policemen when they were stopped near the village of Gairong under North Garo Hills (NGH) late evening yesterday, Aug 11.
Following the incident, an investigation into the alleged assault has been lodged by the police to ascertain facts and act accordingly, as per the superintendent of police, NGH, Abraham T Sangma.
The incident took place at about 9 PM last night while the businessman, Babu Singh and his friend Arwith Marak were on their way home from Dudhnoi in Assam. They were stopped near the bridge at 7th Mile where a ‘naka’ check had been set up by police personnel.
In the FIR filed by the businessman at Resubelpara today, he mentioned that during the incident, an amount of Rs 1 lakh was forcefully taken by the policeman while he and his friend were both assaulted by at least two policemen, one identified as a driver and another a sub inspector.
“I was on my way home to Nongalbibra when we were intercepted by policemen at 7th Mile apparently after they received information of the movement of contraband items. I told them that I was a person of repute but they still wanted to frisk us,” said Singh in his FIR.
Singh added that he noticed that the policemen did not have name tags displayed and asked them as to which station they belonged to.
“When I asked them this question, they immediately threatened to kill us and began to assault me. One of the repeatedly slapped me and when I resisted, the others joined in the assault. My friend too was assaulted when he protested,” alleged Singh.
Singh alleged that the situation became tense and there were even calls to kill them in an encounter and he had no other option but to beg them for mercy.
“They took away 4 of my ATM cards and I had to even give them the PINs to the ATM cards. I also had Rs 1 lakh with me which I gave them so that they allow us to go. One of them was insisting that they kill us and thrown into the river below,” he added.
Singh accused the policemen on duty of being drunk and when they wished to return to Dainadubi and to safety, the policemen insisted that they continue towards Nongalbibra.
“They even threatened to get me kidnapped by underground persons if I even thought of complaining. After leaving the place, I immediately went to the Wageasi Outpost and registered a complaint as the area fell under its jurisdiction. A medical was done on us and I insisted on leaving for home due to the pain from the beatings,” he further added.
This morning, Aug 12, Singh returned to Resubelpara where a police complaint was registered against the policemen in question.
“We are looking into what happened and after the investigation, action will follow. We will definitely act against the policemen if they are found guilty,” promised the NGH SP, Abraham T Sangma when asked on the matter.
