A New Year party in a hotel triggered a clash between soldiers and policemen after a major and a captain were arrested for allegedly molesting women.
Soldiers go berserk after two of their officers are arrested for allegedly molesting women at a party
KOLKATA: A New Year party in a five-star hotel in Kolkata triggered a clash between soldiers and policemen after a major and a captain were arrested for allegedly molesting women at the event.
Trouble began after Major CP Singh and Captain Mahesh of the Madras Regiment, the two men accused of misbehaviour, were brought to the Park Street police station. Some 20 armed jawans and officers, led by Lieutenant-Colonel P Singh, arrived at the station to liberate their colleagues. The soldiers ransacked the station, injuring several police personnel.
According to Ajay Kumar, deputy commissioner (south), the jawans wrecked the station. “Telephone wires were torn out, wireless sets were destroyed, and furniture was smashed,” Kumar said. “The room of the additional officer-in-charge of the station was also ransacked.”
Kumar said the jawans severely beat up at least 13 police personnel. “The condition of a sub-inspector is serious and he has been admitted to hospital,” he said.
The soldiers then broke open the lock-up and freed Singh and Mahesh. Nine others being held at the station also escaped.
Police have requested the army’s Eastern Command Headquarters in Kolkata to hand over the arrested officers so that civil proceedings can be initiated against them.
The army, however, is yet to respond. It has, instead, instituted a court of inquiry against the accused officers and jawans. The inquiry is headed by Colonel MC Baruah, who met senior officers of the Kolkata police on Monday.
Baruah promised a swift inquiry. According to Wing Commander RK Das, the Eastern Command chief PRO, the army will take disciplinary action against the accused if they are found guilty. “The action can range from a written warning to demotion or loss of seniority,” Das said.
The state government has apprised the Prime Minister’s office, Defence Minister AK Antony and External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee of the incident.
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