Law Kumar Mishra
Patna, April 10
Ashwini Kumar, officer in charge of Town police station in Kishanganj in Bihar was beaten to death in North Dinajpur in neighbouring West Bengal.
The Director General of Bihar Police, S K Singhal talked to his West Bengal counterpart and took stock of the situation. He later said the police officer had gone to Panjipara village in North Dinajpur to arrest members of a gang involved in theft of motorcycles in Kishanganj area.
While the officer was in action, villagers gathered in large numbers and gheraoed the team. The mob targeted Ashwini Kumar and brutally bashed him up with sticks and stones. The Bengal police later reached the spot and took the body to Islampur hospital. The officer died on the spot itself.
The Bengal police reportedly did not coordinate in the operation that resulted in the tragic incident. A statement by Bihar Police Association said while Ashwini Kumar had approached the local police seeking help, they had promised to send a team along with him, but failed to do so.
Singhal claimed that the Bihar police officer had entered West Bengal after informing the local police station.
After the incident, Bengal police swung into action and lodged an offence against 25 people. Three people from the same family were arrested in connection with the incident.
They were identified as Mohammed Firoz, Alam and their mother Shahina Khatun.
