DODA, Aug 18: A Village Defence Guard (VDG) member was allegedly beaten up at a police outpost in Doda district, prompting authorities on Monday to suspend a constable and order an inquiry into the conduct of a deputy superintendent of police.
The incident occurred after VDG member Balbeer Singh Manhas fired two rounds in the air in his village Pernote, Premnagar, on August 14, after detecting suspicious movement ahead of Independence Day. The next day, he was summoned to the Premnagar outpost, where he was allegedly assaulted, particularly by selection grade constable Mohammad Zia.
Taking cognizance, Doda SSP Sandeep Mehta suspended Zia with immediate effect and attached him to District Police Lines pending departmental proceedings. A senior officer has been appointed as inquiry officer and directed to submit a report within two weeks.
The role of DySP Afeer Jaleel, then SHO Thathri, will also be examined as part of the inquiry, police said.
Manhas, admitted to Government Medical College Hospital in Doda with injuries, expressed anger over the assault, saying he was only performing his duty to protect the village. (Agencies)
