UP Govt suspends three constables, orders probe

LUCKNOW, JANUARY 11: A day after self-immolation by a Sikh youth in the presence of hundreds of onlookers and policemen, the state governm...

LUCKNOW, JANUARY 11: A day after self-immolation by a Sikh youth in the presence of hundreds of onlookers and policemen, the state government woke up to his family8217;s plight and suspended three constables who were harassing them. An inquiry by the Crime Branch of CID has been ordered into the incident.

Chief Minister Ram Prakash Gupta announced compensation of Rs 1 lakh for the bereaved family. However, no politician or any senior official visited the family to offer condolences. Several human rights organisations have taken strong objection to the cold treatment meted out by the government and have decided to take up the issue with the Human Rights Commission.

8220;What can you expect from a government which deliberately did not form the state human rights commission? His suicide is a reflection on the state of police affairs in the constituency represented by none other than Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee. But we will take the issue to the highest possible level,8221; Chitranjan Singh, head of an NGO,PUCL, said.

8220;My son could not face continued harassment by the police and decided to end his life. No one listened to our grievances till he immolated himself. I hope some good sense prevails on the officers concerned and my family is spared further harassment,8221; said Manpreet, the youth8217;s mother.

Two of Manpreet8217;s sons were detained by the police an year ago and were being continuously harassed on one pretext or other. Two days ago, some policemen had barged into her house and had threatened to take her and her daughter to the police station. 8220;I had lodged complaints with all senior officials and was trying to take up the issue with the District Magistrate when my son was burning himself a few km away,8221; she said .

8220;Three constables have been suspended and a CB CID inquiry been ordered. There will be more action against the guilty policemen if charges against them are found to be true,8221; Lucknow SSP G.P. Sharma said.

8220;CB CID is government8217;s cold storage, where cases are dumped and no action istaken on the cases over the years. The policemen should be dealt the severest possible punishment,8221; said Chitranjan Singh.