CPI (M) demands inquiry into beating of Sarpanch

Excelsior Correspondent
KULGAM, Apr 24: Terming the incident an eye opener for those who promise empowerment to Panchayat representatives, CPI (M) District Committee Kulgam has strongly condemned the brutal attack on a Sarpanch of Halqa Banimulla Kulgam.
A spokesman of the District Committee said that the balloon of much hyped promises of Panchayat empowerment and security to its representatives was deflated when a Sarpanch Ghulam Mohammad Ganaie tried his best for reconciliation among the two families quarrelling over the alleged molestation of a girl, was detained by police and the goons were allowed to prowl on him inside the police station. Ganaie was beaten up to pulp by these hooligans who took law in their hands and barged inside police station and beat him up without any rhyme or reason.
“The incident not only should be taken as an eye opener for the dismal security and empowerment scenario of the Panchayat representatives but it also reflects the deteriorated condition of the police structure in the district. Highhandedness, callousness and dereliction of duties have become the hallmark of police apparatus in Kulgam district,” it said.
To register its disappointment over the lackadaisical and apathetic attitude of the police to act against the attackers, the district committee staged a protest demonstration and later submitted a detailed memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner Kulgam.
The spokesman of the committee has urged the Government to order a magisterial inquiry into the incident and book the culprits as per law.