Protests erupt in Doda over police brutality allegations on Diwali night

A large number of people staged a protest outside the Doda police post on Tuesday night, alleging that the cops thrashed a shopkeeper merely on the suspicion of bursting a firecracker in front of a police vehicle.

The protesters claimed, “During Diwali celebrations on Tuesday night, some people were bursting crackers, and one reportedly went off near a police vehicle. The police then took a youngster, Rajinder Singh, to the police post and thrashed him. Later, the boy was released. However, he had injury marks on his body. He has been admitted to the Muktsar Civil Hospital.”

Meanwhile, some Congress leaders, including Zila Parishad chairman Narinder Singh Kaoni, also joined the protesters and warned of action.

PCC chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring termed it a case of police high-handedness.

“The cops not only thrashed the boy, but also threatened him with a pistol. This has become a routine for the police now,” Warring stated on his Facebook page.

On this, Gidderbaha DSP Arun Mundan said, “Some people were bursting crackers on the road on Diwali night. One man was rounded up by the police party, while others fled. Later, some people reached the Doda police post and admitted that they had realised their mistake. However, there were some mischievous elements tried to disturb the situation.”