Ranchi – The death of a BSF jawan inside Murhu police station in Khunti district has ignited widespread protests, with villagers alleging that he was murdered under police custody.
The jawan, identified as Rahul Manjhi, was home on leave from his posting in Siliguri, West Bengal. Villagers allege that on September 29, following false molestation charges by residents of Mahil, a group of men dragged Rahul from his house, tied him with ropes, and assaulted him before handing him to the police.
By the next morning, police declared that Rahul had died by suicide inside the lockup toilet. His relatives, however, reject the suicide theory, arguing that he had earlier submitted a written complaint naming his attackers, yet no action was taken.
“Rahul sought justice, but instead of protecting him, the police imprisoned him and allowed him to be killed. This is a clear case of custodial murder,” alleged one of the angry villagers during Friday’s protest outside the police station.
The mounting outrage forced Khunti SP Manish Toppo to suspend Murhu Police Station Officer Ramdev Yadav for dereliction of duty. The SP also promised a fair investigation and stern action against the guilty.
Despite the assurance, villagers remain distrustful, accusing the police of shielding the real culprits and demanding immediate arrests.
With inputs from IANS