Suspend cops who thrashed party workers: Cong to rights panel

The Maharashtra Youth Congress Monday approached the state human rights commission seeking suspension of policemen who had allegedly thrashed party men protesting during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Solapur last week.

A delegation of the Congress's youth wing met Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission (MSHRC) chairman M A Sayeed and requested him to instruct authorities to register a case against the policemen concerned.

The delegation also said the incident was a "murder" of democracy and a violation of human rights of protesters, who were raising issues like farm distress.

The prime ministerwas in Solapurdistrict on January 9 to launch various development projects.

During this day-long visit, Modi had dedicated four- laning of the Solapur-Osmanabad section of NH-211 and also laid the foundation stone of 30,000 houses to be built under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna.

"ATS (Anti-Terrorism Squad) officials and other policemen had brutally beaten up Solapur Youth Congress president Ambadas Karangule and his supporters during the prime minister's visit when they were protesting in a democratic manner.

"The workers were kicked and punched, leading to bleeding from their noses and mouths," said Maharashtra Youth Congress president Satyajeet Tambe in the representation submitted to the rights panel.

Tambe said video footage of the entire incident was available.

"Hence, requesting you to instruct registration of a case against ATS officials and other policemen concerned and suspend them," Tambe added.