Middle Andaman tensed after BJP rallies

Kadamtala (Middle Andaman), Apr 24: Tension runs high in Kadamtala,a remote village of Middle Andaman, following a BJP rally alleging thedeath of a villager in police custody.

However police said Suprin Barla, the victim, had committed suicide after escaping from police custody.

After the BJP rally and public meeting, nearly 30 miscreantsattacked a local leader's house and vandalized it. So far we havearrested 17 people in this regard, a senior police officer told UNItoday in Kadamtala Island, nearly 200 km away from Port Blair.

However, BJP local unit members termed these arrests asdictatorship of police and demand a thorough inquiry on the wholeepisode.

"We have right to protest against illegal activities of policedepartment. We believe the victim, Barla, a private labour, was killedin police custody and later his body was hanged in his house.

We demand re-postmortem of the body by doctors from Defence Forces," said Vishal Jolly, President of Andaman's BJP unit.

According to police records, Barla was arrested on April 18 oncharges of eve-teasing. Later in the evening the accused somehowescaped from police custody and committed suicide inside his house byhanging himself.

Villagers did not believe the story and BJP members startedprotesting, who were soon joined by top BJP leaders in Andaman. Somesenior leaders of BJP are still camping in Kadamtala village andpressing their demand for re-postmortem and action against policeofficers of Kadamtala police station.

Following the arrest of 17 villagers the situation has aggravatedfurther. Senior Police officers have also visited the island to see theground reality. However, after their arrival late last night they didnot comment anything.

"There are 30 names in police FIR. We have so far arrested only 17and about the death of Barla, the case is still under investigation andwe will not comment on that at this moment," said a senior policeofficer today.

Local Congress leaders have also reached the village, where BJP isalready protesting since last Thursday. However, police claimed thatthe situation in Kadamatala was under control.

UNI