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The Indian National Congress party alleges that two of its workers died as a direct result of police action during nationwide protests held on Wednesday. These protests, which took place in multiple cities, including Guwahati and Lucknow, were organized in response to several key issues. These include the controversial remarks made by Union Home Minister Amit Shah concerning B.R. Ambedkar, the perceived government inaction regarding the ongoing violence in Manipur, and the demand for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's statehood. The party's claims have been vehemently denied by police authorities in both cities, who maintain that the deaths were not caused by their actions and that no injury marks were found on the bodies of the deceased. The exact causes of death are pending further investigation and post-mortem examinations.
In Guwahati, Assam, a Congress march towards the Raj Bhavan (Governor's House) escalated into a clash with police. Congress leaders allege that police deployed tear gas to disperse the crowd, resulting in injuries and the death of Mridul Islam, a lawyer and secretary of the state unit's legal cell. Assam Congress chief Bhupen Kumar Borah described the police action as a 'pre-planned conspiracy' aimed at intimidating the opposition party. He recounted the events, stating that the police fired tear gas shells three times, resulting in injuries to multiple journalists and protesters. This account is strongly contested by Guwahati Police Commissioner Diganta Barah, who claims that only three tear gas shells were 'rolled' onto the road, not fired, to disperse the crowd. He further asserts that protesters subsequently picked up and threw the shells at police. The differing accounts highlight a significant discrepancy in the narrative of the events leading to Islam's death. An FIR has been filed by the Assam Congress against the state police, alleging excessive force.
The situation in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, presents a similar conflict of narratives. Congress workers claim that Gorakhpur Youth Congress leader Prabhat Pandey died due to suffocation caused by police action and the ensuing panic within the crowd near the state assembly. The state Congress chief, Ajay Rai, attributes Pandey's death to 'police brutality'. However, Deputy Commissioner of Police Raveena Tyagi denies any use of force, stating that Pandey was found unconscious at the Congress office and later pronounced dead at the hospital. She also confirms the absence of visible injury marks on his body. A stark contrast is presented by Pandey's uncle, who filed a police report suggesting the possibility of foul play, given his nephew's lack of known health issues and the mysterious circumstances surrounding his presence at the Congress office. This discrepancy in accounts underscores the need for a thorough and transparent investigation to establish the truth.
The contrasting claims made by the Congress party and the police in both Guwahati and Lucknow highlight a deep political divide and raise serious questions regarding accountability and transparency. The post-mortem reports are crucial for determining the precise causes of death, and any subsequent investigations must carefully consider all available evidence, including witness testimonies and forensic findings. The incidents highlight a concerning trend of escalating tensions between political parties and law enforcement, raising concerns about the use of force during protests and the potential for political manipulation of such events. The demand for compensation and justice by the affected families underscores the need for impartial and timely resolution of these cases, to ensure that justice is served and to foster a climate of greater trust and accountability within the political and law enforcement systems.
The differing accounts concerning the deaths of Mridul Islam and Prabhat Pandey underscore the challenges in uncovering the truth amidst conflicting narratives and political agendas. The need for thorough and impartial investigations is paramount, not only to provide closure to the bereaved families but also to ensure accountability and prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. The role of media reporting is also crucial in accurately conveying the events without bias, enabling the public to form informed opinions based on factual information. These events highlight the complex relationship between political protests, law enforcement responses, and the subsequent investigations that seek to determine responsibility and justice. The outcome of the investigations will have significant implications for the political climate in India, and will serve as a precedent for handling future incidents of similar nature.
Source: 2 Congress Workers Killed Because Of Police Action, Says Party; Cops Deny