Policeman accused of assaulting tribal couple

Koraput: A tribal couple of Maoist-hit Bandhugaon block in Koraput district has accused a sub-inspector (SI) of Bandhugaon police station of allegedly assaulting them.
Though the incident took place on April 26, the couple sent a memorandum to the State Human Rights Commission and home secretary on Friday demanding immediate inquiry and necessary action against the erring officer.They also submitted a copy of the letter with the district police.
According to the complainant, his wife and son were called to the police station in connection with an FIR lodged by his daughter-in-law over a family dispute. The SI allegedly kicked his wife several times following which she fell unconscious. His son was put in the lock-up and thrashed. Some personnel of the paramilitary forces posted at the police station rescued the mother-son duo and got them admitted to Bandhugaon hospital, he added.
The complainant alleged that the SI demanded Rs 10,000 from the couple to settle the case and asked their son to stay at his father-in-law's place.
SDPO (Laxmipur) Hemant Kumar Padhi rubbished the allegation. "Nothing of the sort happened at the police station. I will conduct an inquiry into matter," he added.