Villagers cry custodial assault after man dies

TURA: Villagers from Songsak region of East Garo Hills are up in arms against local police accusing its personnel of custodial assault causing the death of a villager who was detained a week ago.
The deceased, Hillary Ch Momin, was picked up by a team from Dagal police outpost of Songsak on the night of August 3 and released the next day. He passed away on Saturday morning, a week after his detention.
A police team headed by the Dagal outpost in charge was reportedly returning from official duty at Songsak around 9.30pm when they saw Hillary in a drunken state shouting in the middle of the road at Chidimit Nengsat village near St Joseph’s School.
He was taken to the outpost lock up for the night and released the next afternoon at 2 pm on a personal recognizance bond.
Seven days later, the man passed away and villagers have accused the police of assaulting him during in the prison leading to his deteriorating health.
An FIR has been filed in this regard and angry villagers are demanding a probe into the incident and arrest of the ‘guilty’ policemen. District police chief RTG Momin went to the area to assess the situation.