Ranchi: 20-year-old meat and cattle trader allegedly assaulted by police

A resident of Lapur in neighbouring Lohardaga district, Quraishi was travelling in a tempo with another person on Saturday morning, when a police team stopped them near Chakwal More, about 1 km from Chanho police station. Quraishi was caught while the other person escaped, the police said.

“The sequence of events after that is not clear. The allegation is that the police officer in-charge of Chanho assaulted Quraishi. The man was initially admitted to a hospital in nearby Mandar. He was admitted to Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) today. I have directed DSP (Khelari) to inquire into the incident. If there is any adverse report against any policeman, action will be taken,” said SP (Rural) Raj Kumar Lakra.

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Soon after the alleged assault, Quraishi’s relatives and other residents blocked Ranchi-Lohardaga Road. They later cleared the road after receiving an assurance from the police that action would be taken against the culprits following an inquiry.

Quraishi’s brother Tannu said: “My brother was unnecessarily beaten up by policemen. My uncle Zakir Quraishi, who was with him, was slapped a few times. Quraishi was not wanted in any case, nor did he have enmity with anybody. The police should explain why he was stopped and assaulted.”

Quraishi’s mother Gunjar said: “My son’s injuries are not evident. But he is vomiting. We are waiting for the X-ray and ultrasound reports.” She added that Quraishi was too weak to speak.

DSP (Khelari) Pramod Kumar Tirkey said: “We are recording the statements of those involved. Prima facie it is not confirmed whether the victim was assaulted. They have given a complaint in writing that the officer-in-charge of Chanho assaulted them.”

Police officials said that illegal cattle trade and sale of meat is prohibited in the state, and the tempo could have been stopped on this suspicion. However, nothing was recovered from the tempo.