Rourkela: Sundargarh District Congress on Monday demanded an inquiry by judicial magistrate into the alleged custodial death of a 26-year-old youth at the Biramitrapur police station on November 18. The party called for a bandh in Biramitrapur on December 3 in protest against the alleged police excesses.
The party also warned of agitations throughout the district if the culprits involved in the incident are not traced within next seven days.
“We will stage protests and gherao the Biramitrapur police station if the culprits are not nabbed within a week,” said George Tirkey, former MLA and Rourkela Congress President.
“The role of Biramitrapur and Raebaga police is under scanner. We demand a judicial magistrate’s inquiry into the case,” he said.
A team led by Tirkey reportedly met the deceased’s family on Monday and enquired about the alleged custodial death case.
“The victim was severely beaten up by the police that led to severe injuries. It was revealed from the post-mortem report that he was beaten to death. We demand proper investigation into the case and stringent punishment for the culprits. The family should also be given adequate compensation,” said a relative of the deceased.
It is worth mentioning that the alleged death of the 26-year-old youth Tariq Salim in police custody on November 18 had triggered massive outrage with an irate mob trying to storm into the Biramitrapur police station the next day seeking justice. The local residents had staged a demonstration and gheraoed the police station demanding action against the erring policemen.
As per reports, the deceased youth Salim was allegedly picked by the police and brought to Biramitrapur police station for questioning in connection with a kidnapping case. Tariq who used to work in a garage was picked up by the police without any prior notice. He died under mysterious circumstances. The police are yet to reveal the exact reason behind his death, alleged locals.
(Edited By Ramakant Biswas)