Residents on hunger strike for cop's suspension

NASHIK

: Nearly 1,000 villagers from Bilpuri in Baglan taluka, around 80km from here, on Wednesday resorted to a hunger strike seeking suspension of a police inspector for his alleged indifference in a murder case.

A woman was allegedly murdered by her husband around a month ago and he had claimed it to be an accident. Police had, on the basis of the man's description, registered a case of accidental death.

Later, when the villagers raise the issue, some of them were allegedly manhandled by police personnel and an offence of rioting was registered against them. But recently, the post-mortem report confirmed that the woman had died because of head injury caused by a sharp-edged weapon. Following this, the villagers decided to resort to agitation demanding suspension of the police inspector.

A month ago, Savita Desle was travelling from her maternal home with husband Arvind on a motorcycle laws when the couple allegedly met with an accident. Arvind said his wife suffered a head injury and a case of accidental death was registered.

A senior official said the couple was married for the past 10 years but there had been differences between them. Deepak Pagar, a member of the Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatna, said the residents knew about the wife being allegedly harassed by in laws. "Savita had gone to her maternal home after the disputes started taking an ugly turn. The matter was immediately informed by locals to the the police inspector and there was a demand to register the case as murder," he said.

Pagar said the police denied to treat the case as murder. "The villagers then resorted to protest at Nampur civil hospital after the post mortem report confirmed that death was caused by injuries. Police, in turn, booked the protesters for rioting," he added.

The residents had on September 1 taken out a rally in support of their demand and threatened to go on a hunger strike on Wednesday.

Superintendent of police (rural) Ankush Shinde said the accused was immediately arrested after the post-mortem report revealed a foul play. "A case of murder has been slapped against the accused. Besides, an inquiry has been initiated against the officials concerning the case," he said, adding that the strict action would be taken on the police inspector if negligence was found on his behalf.

A case of murder has been slapped against the accused. Besides, an inquiry has been initiated against the officials concerning the case. strict action would be taken on the police inspector if negligence was found on his behalf

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