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MLA seeks probe into police high-handedness

By Biplab Kr Dey

TURA, Aug 14 - In what should have been a very simple case of fine for not wearing a helmet has now snowballed into a huge controversy after police filed a counter FIR against the victim in the recent assault case of motorcycle rider who was without helmet.

John Sandeep Sangma, who last week filed an FIR against an unknown police officer for threat and assault, approached Deputy Commissioner West Garo Hills Pravin Bakshi on Friday seeking a formal inquiry into the matter and asking for justice to be done.

Sandeep had alleged assault by the cop who even threatened to bodily harm the victim for not wearing a helmet. The officer even alleged that the victim was drunk, a charge that Sandeep has denied and his family and neighbours stood by. The threat was also related to deceased Balsan Marak (who died in judicial custody after allegedly being severely beaten up by policemen and denied medical aid).

Balsan�s case is now being fought by his mother who has sought justice in the Meghalaya High Court.

Meanwhile, MLA of South Tura John Leslee K Sangma called on DC West Garo Hills on Friday asking for an inquiry into the incident.

�The matter is extremely serious one. We do not want a repeat of what happened with Balsan Marak. I will speak to the Home Minister and seek security for him,� said Leslee.

According to sources, the police officer in the firing line has filed a counter FIR against the victim alleging that John Sandeep had threatened him while also not allowing him to carry on his duty as a police officer.

Countering the claims of the police, social activist Jaynie Sangma said, �How can one person threaten an entire group of armed policemen? And where did Balsan�s name come into the picture? There is something really not right. What is stopping the police from arresting one of their own people in a case of assault?�

DC, WGH, Bakshi confirmed to the receipt of a formal complaint from the victim, the victim�s FIR as well as the counter FIR, and said that he had sought a report from the SP, Mukesh Singh.

�I have received a formal complaint and have sought a report from the SP. We will look into whether more fact finding is required after the receipt of the report. Let�s all not get into hasty decisions on what happened,� Bakshi added.

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