Tribal girl assault: 2 police officers, civic volunteer suspended

Representational Photo (file photo)


The officer in-charge of Kotshila police station, SI Toofan Dawn and another civic volunteer have been removed from their posts and closed at Belguma police lines allegedly for manhandling a tribal girl during a search operation.

Kalyan Singha Roy, additional superintendent of police (headquarters) of Purulia has been entrusted to conduct a probe and send reports to Purulia district superintendent of police. Already, a DSP-rank officer has started a probe.

Talking to The Statesman, Abhijit Banerjee, SP of Purulia said that already the OC and the civic volunteer have been suspended and departmental proceedings are initiated against them.

The tribal girl has alleged that the OC and other cops raided their house on suspicion that her father runs an illicit country liquor shop in the village and even snatched away Rs 40,000 cash from her house after beating her with sticks.

The issue took a political turn after the BJP Purulia MP Jyotirmoy Singh Mahato accompanied her to the police station to lodge a case.

On the basis of the allegations levelled by the tribal girl, Purulia district police has taken a complaint and started investigations.

Incidentally, chief minister Mamata Banerjee is scheduled to visit Purulia district during her official tour from 27 February.