Lagatar24 Network
Dumka, Feb 25: Furious over the custodial death of one Debu Turi (45) hundreds of villagers, including women and children went on a rampage at Taljhari police station of Sahebganj district on Friday when police had to resort to lathi-charge and fire tear shells to disperse the mob.
Turi, according to his relatives, was detained by the police for the last four days in connection with a case of theft of Rs 2.75 lakh from a bike showroom in Jharna Tola locality when he was allegedly brutalised by the cops during interrogation resulting in his death the previous night.
Deceased’s wife Anupma Marandi alleged that cops continued manhandling him to procure his confession in the theft case that took place last Monday which actually he did not commit.
“Even if my husband was any way involved in the matter (theft) he should have been forwarded to jail within 24 hours since he was detained four days back,” she stated before media men at the spot of road blockade enforced by the deceased’s sympathizers since this morning when the news of Turi’s death spread like a wildfire.
A section of protesters also ventured into the Taljhari police station and resorted to stone-pelting and damaging police vehicles in which two cops sustained injuries.
Meanwhile, a press communique issued by the office of the Sahebganj SP has downplayed the matter claiming that Turi actually died of ailment he had suffered while being in custody.
“The deceased was rushed to hospital after his condition deteriorated after suddenly falling ill,” the communique states, adding that further process would be followed under the guidelines laid down by the National Human Rights Commission.
The police administration, however, has conspicuously been silent on the date and time when the deceased was actually detained for interrogation.
Meanwhile, security forces have been deployed in large numbers under magistrates in and around the Taljhari police station and the site of a road blockade which is still enforced.
Women lead protesters of Sahebganj custodial death
