UDAIPUR, July 25 (TIWN): In an interesting move changing its tactics in police atrocities on 19th July in Udaipur state govt has handed the case to CID to investigate. It is learnt from a top level official in the State Home Ministry that in her priliminary report to Chief Secretary S K Panda DM Gomati raised question marks on the role of the police while handling the case. Then on Mass Hearing held in the Conference Room of DM Gomati's office on 23rd July many women alleged that police intentionally molested them inside the Radhakishorepur Police station on 19th July when they went to complain against the police demanding the arrest of guilty driver.

After being briefed by the DM Gomati Sonal Goel over phone Chief Secretary is learnt to have briefed the higher officials of Home Ministry. And in less than 24 hours of the Mass Hearing state govt has asked CID to investigate the entire episode. Accordingly CID took charge of the case on Thursday morning and at 11am a six members CID investigating team arrived here in Udaipur. The CID team is led by DSP CID Dilip Kr Bhowmim and it also comprises two police officials of Sub Inspector rank, one of Habilder rank, one photographer and a videographer.

Soon after arriving in Udaipur CID's investigating team visited Chhanban Gada Chowmahani where the accident took place and also talked with the shopkeepers and local people and collected information. Then the team examined killer vehicle (TR03-0986) a Mahindra jeep (it is also learnt that the vehicle has neither fitness certificate nor it has insurance). Taking the statement of O C Radhakishorepur Police Station Kanti Lal Baidya the CID officials went to Udaipur Jail to record the statement of driver Dilip Debbarma, who is now in the jail custody.

A police official (in condition to keep his name secret) told TIWN correspondent over phone," Everything is farce. Dilip Debbarma categorically told SDPO Udaipur Ratan Kr Das that ASI TAPAN Das was driving the car and got injuries on the head. But to protect Tapan Das police officials made Dilip a scape goat. The lower ranked police staffs are now really furious over the incident."

It is latent that ASI TAPAN Das recently bought a private car and every morning he takes a police vehicle on road to learn driving. On that morning Tapan lost control and out of tension he pressed the accelerator of the car instead of the brake and the disaster happened. Meanwhile allegations were raised by the common people (who went to the Mass Hearing in DM Office) about the role of S P Gomati Thirungana Sambandhana S. Without begging apology over the incident he is learnt to have advised the police officials to register a suomoto case against the suspected people after watching the video footages.

Accordingly, OF C R.K.Pur examined the CCTV footages of the police station and also the video footages of an Agartala based private TV Channel popularly known to be patronised by

The ruling CPI(M) and registered a case(Case no 179/2014 under Section 143, 147, 148, 353, 427, 323, 307 of IPC out of which 353 (hindering govt employee in discharging his duty) and 307(attacking the police) are non-bailable sections. Meanwhile throughout the day CID team inspected other places like Lake City Shopping Complex (opp of RK.Pur P S), New Town Road, Central Road where police charged lathis on common people.

They also collected samples. At night CID team had a meeting with SDPO Udaipur, OF C R.K.Pur and other police officials. The team also met with the families of the victims namely Laxmi Saha and Debasish Deb(both killed). TIWN also made a special investigation on this incident and the results of the investigation are simply stunning.

TIWN has got the information that SDM Udaipur Ajit Debnath repeatedly requested a highly influential CPI(M) MLA to assist the administration in controlling the unruly situation on 19th July( call record of SDM Udaipur from 9.45am to 11am on 19th July will clearly reveal the truth). But the MLA did not take the least care to help the administration. It is also come to the notice of TIWN special investigation team that many police persons including those who are not even posted in Udaipur resorted to violence though it was purely illegal. Even the traffic police staffs attacked the common etc.

Speaking exclusively to TIWN DSP CID Dilip Kr Bhowmik said," It is very early to make any statement. We have just taken the case on our hands. We will investigate and collect as many as evidences as possible. And after this we will submit our detailed report." However, it is learnt that DM Gomati Sonal Goel will submit her detailed report on the killing of three persons followed by police atrocities. It will be interesting to know whether she will suggest to take action against the police who charged lathis without any order from SDM or DCM present there. A top level official told TIWN correspondent over phone," Before ordering for lathi charge there are some formalities:-

1) Executive Magistrate (DCM) will try to hold a meeting between police and agitated people

2) Water cannons will have to be kept in motion

3) Water cannons will be utilized

4) Tear gas cells will be fired

5) If situations are not controlled then the DCM present on the occasion will make a announcement warning the public through loud speakers about the legal actions to be taken and arrangements of loudspeakers will have to be done by police.

6) Finally order of lathi charge can be given but police won't be allowed to attack with guns or to throw stones at public.

But on 19th July none of the steps was followed. However, what people demand is an impartial judicial inquiry. Because in the past CID inquiries were ordered in many cases but in most of the cases reports of the CID were manipulated under pressure from high level (read politically powerful persons).