Book security officials, clear youths of cases, demand protesters

THE MATTER PERTAINS TO THE KILLING OF ONE BRAHMDEV SINGH, WHO WAS SHOT DEAD ON JUNE 19 THIS YEAR DURING AN ANTI-MAOIST OPERATION

RANCHI: Residents of Piri village and some people’s organisations on Tuesday organised a sit-in protest outside Latehar district collectorate, demanding action against security forces for allegedly killing a youth in June this year, besides withdrawal of cases lodged against five other youths from the village.

The matter pertains to the killing of 23-year-old Brahmdev Singh, who was shot on June 19 this year when security forces were carrying out anti-Maoist operation in the forests of KukuPiri under Garu police station in Latehar district.

Singh, along with the five other youths, was out hunting when the security forces opened fire, taking them of for Maoists. Later, while police admitted that Singh was not a Maoist, a case was filed under Arms Act against the six youths.

Days later June 29, the wife of the deceased submitted a complaint with Latehar police, requesting that a case be filed against the security men responsible for her husband’s killing, besides seeking adequate compensation. However, the district police were yet to register any case in this connection.

On Tuesday, the protest was led by village gram pradhan Modi Singh along with rights’ activists and Singh’s family members. Later, the protestors handed over a memorandum to Latehar deputy commissioner, reiterating their demands.

“This is not an isolated case of a tribal youth being at the receiving end in the name of antiNaxal operation. We have verbally given the district administration a 15-day deadline. If our demands are not met, we will gherao the chief minister’s residence and Raj Bhawan,” said Lal Mohar Kharwar, general secretary, Akhil Jharkhand Kherwar Janjati Parishad.

Meanwhile, Latehar superintendent of police Anjani Anjan said crime investigation department (CID) was probing the case and further action will be taken accordingly.

“The matter is being investigated by the CID, which will submit its charge sheet after completion of probe and trial will be conducted. However, technically two FIRs can’t be registered in the same case,” said the police official.