Doda, August 16: A Village Defence Guard (VDG) member from Pernote in Doda district has alleged that he was brutally assaulted by police personnel after firing warning shots in the air, prompting strong action from the district police.
According to information shared by the family during a conversation with JK Darshan, Balbeer Singh, a VDG member, noticed suspicious movement near his village on the night of August 14. In response, he fired two rounds into the air as a precautionary measure. The following day, he was summoned to the Police Post Prem Nagar, where, the family alleged, Singh was beaten “without any fault or reason” by Probationary DySP Afeer Jalal Khan and his subordinates, including a constable.
“He was only doing his duty as a guard, yet he was thrashed instead of being appreciated,” the family told JK Darshan. They have appealed for justice, urging strict action against the policemen involved.
Taking cognisance of the allegations, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Doda, Sh. Sandeep Mehta (JKPS), has taken immediate disciplinary measures. SgCt. Mohd Zia of Police Post Prem Nagar has been suspended with immediate effect and attached to the District Police Lines (DPL) pending further proceedings. A departmental enquiry has been initiated, headed by a senior officer, with directions to submit a report within a fortnight.
The role of the then SHO Police Station Thathri, DySP (P) Afeer Jaleel, will also be scrutinised as part of the enquiry. The enquiry officer has been tasked with examining his conduct and providing specific findings for further necessary action.
The District Police, in its statement, reiterated that the matter is under active consideration and emphasised that “any individual found involved in wrongdoing shall be dealt with strictly as per the law.”
The incident has drawn attention to the treatment of Village Defence Guards in the region, who play a frontline role in community security, especially in sensitive areas of Jammu and Kashmir.
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