Locals today gheraoed Potka police station in East Singhbhum district with the body of mentally challenged tribal youth alleging that he was beaten to death by a policeman there.
Rajesh Bodra (30), who was mentally challenged, had climbed the roof-top of a house last evening following which a complaint was lodged with the police by villagers, said Superintendent of Police (Rural) Devendra Thakur.
Thakur said the police led by an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) went to the spot and made him get down.
The ASI had dropped Bodra at his home at Tangersai in Potka block, Thakur said, adding that the policeman might have slapped Bodra after he created a scene.
Bodra died this morning, police said.
As the news of his death spread, villagers and local leaders of political parties assembled in front of Potka police station and staged a demonstration with the body demanding immediate action against the ASI concerned and compensation to the family of the deceased.
Ramesh Hansda, East Singhbhum district president of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, said the demonstration was still on and would continue till a senior police officer arrived at the spot and assure action against the erring ASI.
