Malda lock-up victims' families get compensation

MALDA: Seven months after a high court verdict, the families of two persons who died in the Malda court lock-up got compensation last week. They received Rs 1 lakh each in two phases.
Anesh Das and Nimai Ghosh of Harishchandrapur and Ratua had suffocated to death in an overcrowded court lock-up on August 2, 2002. They were the only earning members of their families.
Anesh and Nimai were among many persons from various parts of the district who were arrested on July 31 night in a special drive by the district police for petty cases.They were arrested on charges such as gambling, selling and drinking hooch, creating nuisance in the streets or smoking in public places. Police record said the number was 262, although unofficial sources claimed it was more than 300.
All of them were dumped in two tiny rooms and a 20 ft x 3 ft passage, with no provision for drinking water while the mercury soared to almost 40 degrees. When the arrested persons cried for water, the policemen on duty allegedly demanded Rs 40 for one bottle.
Even if a bottle was "bought" in such a way, no one could drink the water as everyone scampered for it.
More than 150 were hospitalised. Malda Bar Association filed an FIR against the deaths and later a team of high court judges made an inquiry.
The condition of the lockup was "inhuman", observed Justice Sujit Barman Roy of Calcutta High Court, who visited Malda for the probe.
In July 2003, the high court directed the state government to pay compensation to the victims'' families within two months.
However, the order took more than seven months to be implemented. Malda Bar Association secretary Asit Bose expressed satisfaction over the fact that at last the compensation was paid. Association for Protection of Democratic Rights (APDR) Malda branch secretary Prabir Jha, however, questioned, "Why so late?" He further said, "The main issues are yet to be resolved. Why police made the mass arrests that day or why the prisoners were kept in such inhuman condition remains unanswered. The administration is still hiding the truth."
He pointed out, "Although six police officials were suspended, no action was taken against any of the court officials." After the cry became louder throughout the state, the court lock-up was renovated.
The construction of a modern toilet in the lock-up has begun.