Jharkhand: Tribal man beaten by cops, CM orders inquiry

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has ordered an inquiry after pictures of a 42-year-old tribal man, who was allegedly beaten up severely by the Latehar district police for “dropping off Maoists” in the forest area, was shared on social media.

Anil Singh, a farmer, was allegedly picked up in the intervening night of February 23 and 24 by the Garu police in Latehar district and flogged. The issue was brought up by rights body Jharkhand Janadhikar Mahasabha (JJM).

“We were sleeping at home when the Garu police station in charge knocked on the door and asked me to accompany him to the police station. I had two guests at my home, and they were also asked to come. The police alleged that we had gone to drop off Maoists and then they started beating me to an extent that I went unconscious,” the tribal man said to reporters.

Reacting to the incident, Chief Minister Hemant Soren tweeted in Hindi: “Jharkhand Police, take immediate cognisance of the matter and take strictest possible action against the culprits and inform.”

“Anil and a couple of other villagers were picked up at midnight and accused of helping Maoists. He and another person were severely beaten till he lost consciousness. It must be noted that innocent Adivasi Bramhadev Singh of the same block was killed by security forces a few months back. He was shot dead during a Naxal search operation,” said a release by the Jharkhand Janadhikar Mahasabha.