IRB personnel assault villagers after altercation

Chamba, Apr 20 (UNI) Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) personnel allegedly assaulted villagers, including women and children, following an altercation between a IRB constable and a village boy at Alwas village in Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh early today.

The villagers alleged that IRB personnel raided the village and physically assaulted them after an altercation between a 13-year old boy, identified as Jagdish, and an IRB personal, identified only as Bunty, near the village yesterday.

Jagdish's mother, Ratnu, had a fractured arm and suffered head injuries, after she was assaulted by the IRB constable when she tried to prevent him from beating her son, they alleged.

Bunty fled from the scene after more villagers gathered at the site but returned in large numbers early today and beat up the villagers who fled to the neighbouring village of Tarela.

The villagers alleged that even after the incident was brought to the notice of the district administration, no official has visited the village so far and said they were afraid for their safety.

Chamba Deputy Commissioner Pushpinder Rajput told UNI that he has directed the SDM to inquire into the incident.

He said he would also take up the matter with the IRB Commandant and impress upon him the need to prevent the re-occurrence of such incidents in future.

Clashes between the villagers and security personnel are common in the district but never has any action been taken against any security official for assaulting the villagers.

Meanwhile, police sources said a case has been registered against the IRB constable and investigations were on.

UNI