Two officers suspended, probe panel constituted
The state government suspended the officerin-charge of Bagbera and Rajnagar police stations under whose jurisdiction the killings of seven persons took place on the false charges of child lifting and constituted a probe panel, headed by Kolhan commissioner and regional DIG of police, for an inquiry into the killings.
The committee has been asked to submit its report within a month, said home secretary SKG Rahate, adding that the DIG has been instructed to suspend the officer-in-charge of Rajnagar and Bagbera police stations. Sixteen have been arrested till date in this connection, he said. “It was a spontaneous reaction of the villagers on unfounded rumours,” said Rahate.
TP Kushwaha, officer in charge of Rajnagar police station in Seraikela-Kharswan district said he had never come across “such a berserk crowd in 20 years of my career.” .
Kushwaha happens to be a witness of the killings. The administration has lodged four separate FIRs , three by the police and one by the circle officer, Rajiv Neeraj. HT spoke to Kushwaha on his role that day and his clarifications on the charges of inaction and failure to prevent the deaths.
He said mere mention of Sobhapur rubbed the earth beneath his feet as it is the only village in the entire panchayat that had a mixed population.
Taking suo motu cognisance of media reports,the National Human Rights Commission issued a notice to the DGP of Jharkhand, asking a detailed report in the matter within four weeks. It also asked for measures to prevent such incidents.
The Congress alleged on Monday that a “movement of lynching innocent people” has begun in BJP-ruled states, saying lawlessness “aided and abetted by the state has become the new India of today”.
“This BJP-NDA government is a WhatsApp government, a WhatsApp-driven government. It thrives on emotions and vulnerabilities of the people and uses it mischievously to target those who may have different views, different ideologies,” party spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi said. Citing the examples of lynching of people in Jharkhand, killing of Pehlu Khan in Rajasthan and other incidents in different parts of the country, he alleged that the “philosophy” of the ruling dispensation encourages such mob justice. HTC