Thaindian News

Jaipur, Feb 20 (IANS) Four people, including two policemen, were injured as villagers in Rajasthan’s Bikaner district clashed with police while protesting the alleged torture of a Dalit youth in a police station, officials said.

While police said that the youth had run away when they tried to detain him and he was never interrogated, the villagers alleged that he was tortured and has been missing since Saturday morning.

The incident took place in a village near Chattargarh town in Bikaner.

“A group of villagers gathered at the Chattargarh police station Monday morning and started demonstrating. When police tried to disperse them, they pelted stones. The police resorted to a mild baton-charge,” a police officer said.

The official said four youths belonging to a Dalit community had been found creating nuisance at a public place in drunken condition Friday night.

“A police patrolling team tried to catch them, but three of them escaped. Only one of them, Noralal Meghwal, was arrested but released Saturday morning,” said the officer.

However, the villagers said that police had detained Noralal’s brother Kishan Meghwal also. Kishan is missing since Saturday morning.

Villagers alleged that Kishan was kept under illegal custody at Chattargarh police station Friday night and tortured. They also feared that Kishan is dead.

“A team of senior police officers has been formed to investigate the allegations of villagers,” the officer added.