Himachal Police Under Scanner

 Khushal Singh     ( cover story )

The working of Himachal Police has come under scanner as three gruesome crime incidents rocked the state one after the other. Firstly, it was Hoshiar Singh case in Karsog area in Mandi district, then it was rape and murder case of a school girl in Kotkhai area in Shimla district and now rape of a girl student by a teacher in Tissa area of Mandi district. People have started raising a questions over capability of Himachal Police. Has Himachal police failed the way it handled all three sensitive cases in the recent past?

Violence After Rape In Tissa

Deepak Sharma

Churah Valley burnt for five days after violence erupted following a rape of a minor girl student by a teacher. People of majority community demonstrated on roads and even burnt shops of people belonging to a particular community. They were agitated as no action was taken against an influential person of a community and indulged in stone pelting on cops and administrative officials. As a result, Chamba ASP and ADM sustained  injuries among 15 those injured in the incident. Chief Minister had to cancel his Tissa visit.

Administration Struck Truce

Keeping in view the violent incidents, Chamba DC Sudesh Mikhta and SP Dr. Virender Tomar took initiative to reach Tissa and constituted a peace committee following which tension between two communities was diffused and Tissa SDM was also sent on leave. Sector officials were deployed in sensitive areas to keep a tab on every activity.

What Triggered Violence ?

A minor girl student was raped by a teacher in Churah sub division and the police arrested accused following a complaint by victim’s father.  School Management Committee of Khuhinagar school raised fingers at role of other teachers and demanded their transfer in presence of SDM. Few locals in presence of a leader of a community thrashed teachers following which locals resorted to demonstrations demanding action against influential leader. Though cops had booked that leader but the situation remained tense for four days.

Forest Guard’s Death A Mystery

People are not satisfied with the investigations of police and CID in death case of forest guard Hoshiar Singh in Karsog area of Mandi district. The police and CID have failed to answer many queries related to his death even as a murder case was registered on June 9 at Karsog Police Station.  Deployed in Kanthada beat of Karsog, Hoshiar Singh had gone missing mysteriously on June 5. As family members had launched a search operation, his body was found hanging upside down on a tree in a forest. Initially, the police handled the case but was handed over to the CID wing for investigations.  Working of the police could be gauged from the fact that cops first took it as a murder case but the very next day termed it as a suicide. Though cops had recovered some suicide notes but police believed it to be a case of suicide without any forensic investigation. It was reported that Hoshiar Singh consumed poison but his body was found hanging upside on a tree. Locals allege that investigations were not complete as deceased’s suicide note had reportedly mentioned about activeness of forest mafia people in the area.

People’s Protest

Irate locals had alleged that it was a case of murder instead of suicide and had even approached Chief Minister. They are not willing to accept the plea by the police and CID that Hoshiar Singh had consumed poison. How could he climb a 35 feet high tree? Is it possible to hang upside down after consuming poison?

These were the questions  to which the police had no answer though forensic investigations revealed that suicide notes were in Hoshiar Singh’s andwriting. People are not only agitated but demanded a CBI probe into the case as they allegedly don’t believe in police working.

Police Failure In Kotkhai Case

Entire Himachal was stunned after gruesome rape and murder case of a 16 year old school girl was reported from Kotkhai area of Shimla district. The police investigations too attracted ire from all sections of the society.  The girl had gone missing while going to her house from school on July 4 and her body was recovered from a forest two days later. First, the local police investigated the matter that was handed cover to the SIT headed by IG, South Range Zahur Zaidi.

Notably, some suspects were rounded up whose pictures were uploaded on Chief Minister’s facebook page but were later removed. Sources said these pictures were reportedly provided by the police to Chief Minister’s IT Cell but were removed later on. DGP Somesh Goyal held a press conference to claim solving of the case on July 13 and announced arrest of six persons. Neither people nor the media believed theory forwarded by the police. The accused included two Garhwalis, two Nepalese, one pickup driver and a local. The cops claimed that girl was raped near the area where her body was recovered but no one was ready to accept it posing many questions.

In the meantime, one of the accused was murdered in police custody despite presence of staff in Kotkhai police station. The police working came under scanner once again and people resorted to protest demonstrations and even attacked police personnel while damaging vehicles. They even set Kotkhai police station on fire and pelted stones resulting in injuries to cops.  The case has been handed over to the CBI.

‘Himachal Police Lacks In Professional Credibility’

Himachal This Week talked to former DGP ID Bhandari on various issues confronting Himachal Police these days. Following are the excerpts of the interview:

HTW: How capable is HP police to tackle crime?

ID Bhandari: It is not that Himachal Police is not capable of handling crime. Himachal Police has the capability but people are losing faith in it. Under such circumstances, it becomes very difficult to restore faith. It happened in Kotkhai case Hoshiar Singh case. The CBI has better equipments besides having a dedicated team for investigations. It is not the same for Himachal police

HTW: Is there any political interference?

ID Bhandari: The real question is about credibility which the police is losing. Political interference in police working has also increased that is bound to adversely affect it. It is happening in Himachal  where officers and even SHOs are being posted on political considerations. Obviously such cops will work according to those who have ensured their postings in stead of working for people.

HTW: What are shortcomings in Himachal Police its working?

ID Bhandari:  Himachal police lacks in professional credibility which is at its lowest ebb now. Interference in police working is the main reason behind it.

Himachal Police has the capability but people are losing faith in it. Under such circumstances, it becomes very difficult to restore faith. It happened in Kotkhai case Hoshiar Singh case.

-ID Bhandari, Former DGP

विवाह प्रस्ताव की तलाश कर रहे हैं ? भारत मैट्रीमोनी में निःशुल्क रजिस्टर करें !

Keep watching our YouTube Channel ‘Divya Himachal TV’. Also,  Download our Android App