From Our Correspondent
TURA: In a clear case of police highhandedness a photo journalist of a vernacular daily Salantini Kurang and his companion were manhandled and assaulted by SOT personnel at Digranggre near Asanang in West Garo Hills at around 9:15pm on Saturday last.
Photo journalist Dalseng A Sangma and his companion Brian Zico Sangma informed that they were returning to Tura from Damra in Assam from a work related journey when they were almost run over by a Shillong-bound night bus (ML08 1111). The duo, while trying to evade the bus, reportedly fell into a ditch sustaining injuries. Perturbed, Sangma shouted at the bus driver when some SOT personnel, riding a Gypsy, allegedly turned up and accused them of trying to rob the bus passengers and started beating them black and blue. The SOT personnel allegedly used their rifle butts while beating them causing severe injury to one of the injured, who later, had to undergo a surgery on his right ear.
The duo reportedly managed to reach Rongram Police Outpost but the In-Charge refused to accept their FIR against the SOT personnel, Sangma stated, adding that the In-Charge even threatened and beat them up. Later they were let off by the In-Charge but only after accusing them of resorting to propaganda against the police and threatening them of dire consequences.
This is not the only instance when men in uniform have wantonly beaten up innocent public in the name of the law and tried to suppress the voice of the people. A video journalist was assaulted by police personnel while on his way home from work during the unrest at Tura last month.
It may be noted that this is not the first time that a complaint of police high handedness has been lodged against the In-Charge of Rongram Outpost. He and his constables have, earlier, been accused of assaulting people of Rongram and its surrounding areas during the Rongram weekly market held on Friday.