Balaghat, Madhya Pradesh:
Tensions escalated in Balaghat district on Tuesday after members of the Marar Mali community staged a protest in Kirnapur over the arrest of a pregnant woman and her husband and allegations of assault at a police station. The protest turned violent when the crowd allegedly pelted stones at police personnel. Sixteen people, including seven police personnel, were injured in the incident.
According to reports, protesters attempted to open the gate of the Kirnapur police station and enter the premises. As the situation went out of control, police fired tear-gas shells to disperse the crowd. Among those injured in the stone-pelting were SDOP Deepak Tomar, Inspector Jitendra Chauhan, Shailendra Patel, SDOP’s driver Alok, Head Constable Varsha, and women constables Ambika and Avisha, along with others.
The injured were taken to the Kirnapur health centre for treatment. After receiving first aid, some of them were reportedly referred to hospitals in Gondia. Following the incident, SP Aditya Mishra reached the spot and attempted to calm the protesters. Police are now identifying and questioning those allegedly involved in the stone-pelting.
Couple Had Been Arrested on Suspicion of Theft
According to information, police had arrested Kailash Chaudhary and his pregnant wife Savitri Chaudhary, residents of Timkitola in Mundesara Panchayat, on September 2 on suspicion of theft.
The woman’s family alleged that she was subjected to inhumane treatment at the police station and was beaten after being stripped. The family claims that injury marks are still visible on her body.
On September 7, family members reportedly took the pregnant Savitri to the district collector’s office on a cot to submit a complaint. Following the allegations, the SP suspended the station in-charge and three other police personnel in connection with the matter.
The violence during Tuesday’s protest has now added another challenge for the police administration. Authorities are investigating the entire sequence of events, including the allegations against the suspended personnel and the subsequent violence during the protest.
