Action and CM’s warning to cops In many areas of Bengal, police have been accused of violent behaviour

Monalisa Chaudhuri, TT, 28.03.20, Calcutta: Twelve cops have been “closed” for alleged misbehaviour and excesses while trying to enforce the lockdown in various parts of Bengal.

“Closed” personnel have to report to the workplace but, as a punishment, are not assigned any duties.

Chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday made the announcement about the personnel being “closed” and instructed the force to be more restrained and “humane”.

In many areas of Bengal, the police have been polite, persuasive and firm in enforcing the lockdown. But in some pockets, they have been accused of violent behaviour.

Allegations like stopping people from going to buy medicines, barring a government-hired driver from joining his shift, harassing people returning from markets, caning the elderly and even damaging stores selling essentials have surfaced against the police.

Sources said no police excesses were reported from within Calcutta police’s area. The number of people prosecuted for violating the lockdown in Calcutta fell to 182 on Friday from 453 on Thursday.

The sources in the state home department said that in 12 of the instances, the police had been found to have been at fault. The 12 cops were identified from CCTV footage and video recordings and “closed”. Disciplinary action has been initiated against four of them.

At a news conference in Nabanna, the chief minister said: “I was happy to see the police helping a pregnant woman reach hospital and arrange blood for patients... but there were some complaints too. The police have to be strong to prevent the spread of the virus but have to be humane at the same time.”

She warned: “Kshamatar apabyabohar korben na (Don’t abuse your powers).”

Mamata underscored that many people needed to step out — to buy food or medicines or to work.

“People should not be stopped from going to ration shops. Check their ration card. People should not be prevented from stepping out to buy medicines.... Home delivery has to be allowed. The supply of essentials has to be allowed.”

While analysing video footage of the alleged police excesses, it was found that in several instances, the officers had themselves been heckled and abused, sources said. Such complaints were dismissed.

Police sources said the 12 errant cops include four inspectors apart from sub-inspectors, constables and civic volunteers. They are from Siliguri, Howrah, Burdwan, Alipurduar, Cooch Behar and Asansol.

The sources said a complaint from a north Bengal district alleged that a state bus driver was beaten up and prevented from going to his workplace. A complaint from Howrah and another from Burdwan spoke of two elderly men being stopped from visiting medicine stores.

A woman constable has been accused of beating up a woman travelling to work. An elderly resident was allegedly beaten with batons in a north Bengal district.

A policeman allegedly snatched a shopper’s bag, full of essentials he had bought, and threw it on the road.

Senior officers said they were going through more video footage. “Our officers too have been heckled and defied at many places,” one of them said.

An officer in the police directorate said this was a “new situation” for everyone.

“The force is accustomed to curfews where no one is allowed to step out. They are free to act if anyone steps out. But this is a lockdown; here they have to use their discretion before making a move,” he said.