Two police constables, who were seen beating up a man mercilessly in a viral video from Chhindwara district of Madhy Pradesh, have been suspended and departmental probe initiated into their action.
The video, where one of the cops is seen hitting the man repeatedly and brutally on his head and entire body with a police cane even after he falls down unconscious, has sparked off an outrage on social media.
The misconduct of the policemen has come to public notice close on the heels of another shocking audio from Betul district, where policemen are heard telling a lawyer that the latter was beaten up under impression that he was Muslim. The cops are also heard saying that whenever there are riots police force always supports Hindus and beats up Muslims brutally.
One of the identified policemen from the Betul incident was suspended and probe initiated against him.
Speaking to THE WEEK, Director General of Police (DGP) of Madhya Pradesh Vivek Johri said that the incidents were totally unfortunate and that they were aggressions that should not have happened at all. “There is no place for such conduct in the force and strictest possible action will be taken against the cops in both the incidents to set an example so that such conduct is not repeated,” the DGP said.
“However, such behavior is not a general trend in a force of over one lakh policemen in MP, of whom about 80,000 are deployed in lockdown duties. Our training protocol is elaborate and the way the force should conduct itself is well ingrained in the training. Also, during the current situation, there has been constant briefing and counseling done for the field staff with stress on the point that there should be no misbehavior with the public. Yet one or two such incidents occur. We have taken notice of them and we will take strict measures to prevent repetition,” Johri added.
Chhindwara cops face probe
The brutal beating incident in Chhindwara is said to be 10 days old, but the video went viral on Saturday, following which constables Krishna Dongre and Ashish, posted at the Pipalyanarayanwar police outpost in Chhindwara town were suspended on Sunday.
“We cannot tolerate such incidents. It is not the part of our training or briefing. Rather, they are personal misconduct. The two constables have been sent to police lines, suspended and departmental probe charge sheets have been presented to them. They will face exemplary action after the probe report,” superintendent of police of Chhindwara, Vivek Agrawal told THE WEEK.
The man who is seen thrashed in the video has been identified as Nanu, 30, a mason and resident of Pipalyanarayanwar in Chhindwara. He was said to be inebriated at the time of the incident and is said to be a repeated offender of creating ruckus in intoxicated state, for which police have been called in past too. His medical examination has been conducted and he is said to be in stable health.