Cop: Channels not showing full footage

Even as the Uttar Pradesh Home Department on Thursday directed the Crime Branch-Criminal Investigation Department to probe the September 18, 2006 police encounter

Even as the Uttar Pradesh Home Department on Thursday directed the Crime Branch-Criminal Investigation Department to probe the September 18, 2006 police encounter in Allahabad, a sub-inspector who was part of the police team said TV channels were not showing the full footage, which would clear their side.

8220;The footage that is being telecast now is incomplete. The criminal, Pintu Mishra, was very aggressive. How can you term his gesture as his decision to surrender? He did the same thing several times during the encounter and lobbed bombs at policemen,8221; Sub-Inspector S K Sharma told The Indian Express. 8220;I was injured in the encounter,8221; he said, adding that everyone in the police team risked their lives in the shootout.

But none of the 18 policemen who took part in the operation can be awarded for their 8220;bravery8221; as a magisterial inquiry ordered immediately after the incident has not yet been completed. Allahabad Additional City Magistrate Bidhhyawasini Rai, who is conducting the magisterial probe, explained the delay, saying: 8220;This is a long process. In the first stage, evidence is collected. Then the magistrate examines all statements to look for contradictions, if any.8221; Rai said that since a CB-CID probe has been ordered, he will take legal advice before proceeding with the probe.

The team included then ASP Allahabad city R P S Yadav who is currently ASP Vigilance in Allahabad, Circle Officer Rahul Srivastawa who is now posted at the Police Training Centre, Sitapur and Rajesh Chaurasia, another CO-rank officer. Head Constable Ashok Pandey was killed in the shootout.

Police sources said Head Constable Pandey first tried to stop a vehicle carrying three persons. 8220;When they refused, Pandey chased them. But the constable was shot dead. Angry at their colleague8217;s death, our team chased the trio and engaged them. After Pintu was killed, his injured associate Jitendra was hospitalised. The third person escaped from the spot. Later, investigations revealed that the trio were in town to kill Sujit Singh Belwa who was then lodged in Naini jail, Allahabad. The criminals belonged to the gang of Sujit8217;s rival Bablu Mishra,8221; said the police official.

Head Constable Pandey8217;s wife Maina wants to know why no one is talking about her husband8217;s supreme sacrifice. 8220;Aap log apradhiyon ka saath kyon de rahain ho?8221; she asks. Her relative Vijay Mishra asks what prompted the electronic media to take up the issue almost a year after the incident.

Others want to know the source of the footage. 8220;The CD was available with a city reporter. It was in high demand right from the day of the encounter,8221; said a local reporter.

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Pintu Mishra8217;s father Sheo Murat Mishra has now demanded a thorough probe into the incident saying it was a clear case of police brutality. Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh DGP Vikram Singh said any policeman found guilty would not be spared.