High drama in Haryana's Punhana, villagers clash with cops alleging death of youth due to police torture

Sumedha Sharma

Tribune News Service

Gurugram June 12

A high drama was witnessed in Badkali village of Punhana here as residents clashed with the police and set their official vehicle on fire as a local youth died after allegedly being brutally tortured in custody by the Faridabad police. 

The villagers were protesting with the youth's body on Hodal highway when Nuh police came to remove them and restore traffic. An argument soon turned into a clash and the locals allegedly pelted stones, beat up the police personnel and damaged vehicles. 

While the policemen fled for life, a virtual curfew has been imposed in Punhana with markets shut and tension gripping the area. The protesters were roaming in the streets till the filing of report.

The drama started in the morning after 22-year-old Junaid, a painter, died at his home. The family alleged he was illegally picked up and detained without an FIR and arrested by the Faridabad police. They alleged that he was brutally beaten and they had to bribe cops to get him released. 

"His brother got him home after paying Rs 70,000 to cops. He was not well since and had swelling on his feet and injury in the back. We took treatment from local doctor but he suddenly died owing to internal injuries," said Junaid's uncle Suleman. 

The family first sat on protest near their village but getting no attention, almost entire village came to highway and blocked it. It was when Nuh police team came and asked them to vacate the mob went berserk and attacked the cops. 

The family claimed that Junaid was going to a wedding in Rajasthan with five others in a car and was picked up from border as one of the boys was found allegedly involved in an OLX fraud and was traced through his mobile phone. 

Police sources claimed that he was detained for questioning on May 31 and let off on bail on June 1.

"How can he die after 12 days? They are just creating ruckus, trying to communalise the issue," said a senior police official.

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