Uttar Pradesh: Feeling of pain and agony due to colonial police act

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Uttar Pradesh: Feeling of pain and agony due to colonial police act

Upendra Kumar/Vijay Bharti 21/6/2008 6:55:30 PM(IST)


My Name is Paru alias Paras is resident of village Bagwanala under jurisdiction Jaitpura, Varanasi (U.P). Before 20 -22 years I was living in my paternal house in village Rasulgarh I left and permanently settled in Bagwanala as my relative fought with me. I was happily living with my wife Chamela and three children – Usha (7 years), Resham (2 years) and Gudia (1 year). I interest in weaving so I engage myself in this work. However now I drive rickshaw to manage my family need.



One day a dead body was found in Bagwanala which was identified as Mintu body by his parent. Before that Mintu parent were asking me where is Mintu I did not answered to them as I did not have any information about him. Maya a woman of my hamlet said to Mintu parent that few days back they were fighting with Mintu and they had only killed Mintu.



On 29th December, 1999 I was going with bicycle meanwhile police took me in custody on Mintu parent’s statement. I was put in prison where entire night I was beaten by six police constable and S.I (Mr. Anil Mishra). I feel pain of 20-25 lathi but after that I become faint and they kept me in another room. In this case police also call Kaju and beat him. While beating police incessantly ask why did you kill Mintu, I said I did not kill him even though I don’t know whether he is dead or alive. The dead body they show me it was not of Mintu. However police and Mintu’s parent proved it as body of Mintu. I only recognize his clothes. For three days entire day and night they torture me by using various means. Some time they tie me in iron chain and they beat until voice come out from my mouth. In the name of clothes only black baniyan was left in the body. I lost many tooth as they beat with butt-end of the gun on my both jaws. I am only able to take semi solid and liquid item like rice and Halwa. In police station they make me to lie down in ice slab and tie my both hand and I feel difficulty in removing my hands. They also keep ice slab between my hand and stomach. They beat with lathi in my entire body and even in falanga also this was really painful for me. I have eye sight problem as they beat by lathi in falanga. When I get in conscious policeman continuously make pressure on me to accept the crime and also threat me for plucking my nail and punching pin on my feet then you will forget mischief which you are doing. That time I thought they will kill me but after three days charge sheet was filed and I spend 15 days in prison. After 15 days I was released on bail and I have pain in my entire body. My right hand finger gets fracture as police beat me and still I feel pain in winter season. When I was taken in police custody then they deposit my gold chain, bicycle and watch, seven hundred Rupees. When I released I asked police constable about these items, he said go and take where you kept and to whom you gave.



When I was in prison my children and family member were crying they only eat rice and sleep. From then my life ruined and still I am not feeling calm from inside.



Again after 15 days police took me in custody, this time they involved in another case of firing on S.I. I spend 1 ½ year in prison based in Chaukaghat. In Prison I read in newspaper that S.I Anil Mishra and other policeman were killed while struggling for Naxal encounter. Then I realize that people who do injustice get punishment one day and I feel relief from inside. Now I did not have any complaint against police department. In prison I learn how to read and write. When I get release from prison as I was unable to work so my brother (Kailash) and his wife (Radhey Sonkar) with rickshaw took me to home. That time I felt as everything is ruined and my leg was shivering and I feel fear inside. When I return home everything was looking unresponsive. I fear with darkness and I lost my interest in many things after spending my time in prison. Still now police trouble me and for five year everything my life was smooth. However from one and half years police take me in custody in mid night. Often S.I and police came to my home they asked officer has called in police station by using abusive word. They also threat me to come in police station otherwise be prepare for the results. Whenever I present myself in police station a new case is imposed on me like hitting with knife and robbery etc. How can we poor fight with injustice. With the behavior of police my entire family is afraid. Now my family members leave me alone and I alone struggling with this case. I did not have belief in home, family and relatives.



Police constable suggests why you can’t settle at another place. I said police will not leave me if I am in any part of Uttar Pradesh. Your corruption is everywhere then police constable replied that you become very intelligent then I said because of you all. My family members also suggest the same as police constable. However I did not left this place because police will create problem to my brother and other family members. After recalling entire incidence in mind I feel I should die but know I want to be alive as I have to face all this things. One day S.O Mr. Heera Lal Jaiswal ask me why are you blaming that police misbehave with you. I said however S.I and S.O by using abusive word ask me to come in police station S.O sir has called you and when I present myself there I was charged with another new case. He said don’t disclose to anyone that police is abusing or beating you.



Now I want to spend my rest life with my family member in peace. Any how I am managing my need with driving the trolley. I am always feared with the next step of the police. It has became part of my life from last 15 days I am very much troubled and feeling very suffocation that police may kill or vanished me. These days 7 -8 times police call me and illegally detained me in police station they ask me about Bharat Sonkar. I inform them as much I know about him then they release me. Bharat and Kanhaiya are charged with dacoity, snatching and shooting. When this incidence happened I was in prison then also police detained me to investigate in their case. 3 -4 days before an encounter happened nearby my house. I will be free after my death but what will happen to my family member. I want to be alive after thinking about my family. I want to free myself from police. Police know Bharat house then also why he takes me. When I denied then police said what is problem in going with him but four and five hours is ruined like that.



Police officer Heera Lal 15 days before came and said you are charged under new case. Give me 500 Rupees we will deposit your fine. He said nothing will happen to you now leave your life in peace. However yesterday night again police took me to Bharat Sonkar house they release me when they did not find Bharat



Translated by Ms. Shabana Khan of PVCHR. www.pvchr.org