CPM alleges police torture of leader

Shimla, Aug 24 (UNI) The Himachal Pradesh CPM today demanded the immediate transfer of Chamba district SP alleging torture of one its leaders, who was arrested on August 20, in the district jail last night.

''The medical examination by Chamba Medical Officer has indicated severe injuries to Kashmir Singh Thakur who was tortured in the district last night on the orders of the SP,'' party's three secretariat members, Tikender Singh Panwar, Sanjay Chauhan and Jagat Singh, alleged in a release here.

The CPM leader was in Chamba these days after three Centre for India Trade Union (CITU) leaders were killed when unidentified assailants attacked them with iron rods and sticks at Dakoh in the district on June 11, while another activist, Pramod, managed to escape from the scene.

The activists were returning to their homes after participating in a rally, protesting against a construction company, executing the Chamera III hydel power project, when they were brutally beaten up before being thrown in the Ravi River.

The CPM leaders said the four policemen identified as Inspector Pratap, ASI Anup Katoch, Constable Victor and driver Surender should be suspended immediately for torturing Mr Thakur for over three hours last night.

Alleging that the Inspector was also responsible for murder of a person, Karam Chand, in Chamba district of the state last year, they said the party would resist anything short of his suspension.

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