Video shows cops thrashing youth for violating traffic laws

GUWAHATI: Assam Police are carrying out a probe into a video showing men in uniform

thrashing

a man inside a battalion camp in Baksa district for violating traffic laws. Though the incident allegedly happened on April 17, it came to light on Thursday following circulation of the clip.

“Baksa SP Thube Prateek Vijay Kumar has been asked to carry out a probe into the matter,” DGP Kuladhar Saikia told the media. Talking about the incident, Kumar added, “The probe will look into the details of the incident. Besides departmental proceedings, action will be taken under criminal sections of the IPC if necessary.”

Sources said the victim youth, identified as Pritam Sarania of

Goreswar

, was allegedly beaten by a group of policemen inside the barrack located in the Maharipara area of Baksa. “Three youths coming on a bike were stopped by police for violating the traffic norms. Subsequently, the riders engaged in a confrontation with police and thereafter the men in uniform took Sarania to the barrack and started beating him with lathis. The entire episode was recorded by someone on the phone,” a source added.

Police claimed the youth had attacked a policeman who was part of a flying squad which was formed when the

Lok Sabha

polls were on in the state. The Assam Police headquarters here has asked for a detailed report on the case within five days.

Incidents of atrocities by Assam Police personnel have been surfacing quite frequently. Between 2010 and 2016, at least 174 cases have been recorded against policemen on various charges of violence, human rights violations, extortion and other illegal activities.