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Cops allegedly ‘manhandle’ woman in labour pains

KT NEWS SERVICE. Dated: 4/6/2020 11:15:16 PM

Family alleges, baby died due to delay but 4 of kin face charges of assaulting policeman

JAMMU Arp 6: Cops at Bhatindi police post allegedly manhandled a pregnant woman, in labour pains and on her way to SMGS hospital here, and her accompanying family members last evening.
The family has alleged that the woman lost her child due to the delay caused by the police and CRPF who stopped them at two points. “She could not reach hospital on time and presently her condition is critical,” they said.
IGP told that the lady left house at Bhatindi at 9:52 and reached GMC Jammu at 10:15. She was stopped at naka for 1 to 2 minutes only and on seeing a pregnant lady, they were allowed to proceed. No beating has taken place at all.
The police, however, said that the family members of the woman attacked the cop. Though no case has been registered for stopping a woman in labour or allegedly beating her, on a complaint filed by Selection Grade Constable, Manzoor Ahmed, presently posted as Munshi in Bhatindi Police post, an FIR was lodged against four accompanying family members.
Police confirmed to KTNS that an FIR No 103 of 2020 was lodged against Amir Malik, Fayaz Malik, Ashiq Malik and Nihi Malik in Bhatindi. All the four have been booked under Sections 382, 353, 277 and 188/34.
When contacted, IGP Jammu, Mukesh Singh, however, told KTNS that SSP Jammu has been asked to enquire about the allegations of beating of the pregnant woman.
The case was brought to the notice of Kashmir Times by Citizen Journalist, Mohd. Irfan, who spoke to Aamir Malik, husband of the pregnant woman. According to Irfan’s report, Aamir told him, “we were on way to the hospital when my wife developed labour pains yesterday evening during the thunderstorm and rain when they were stopped by a policeman in a civil dress.”
Despite repeated requests and reasoning that his wife’s condition was deteriorating, Aamir said that he did not allow them to move further and told them to take a diversion. This lead to an altercation between the two.
Aamir alleged that the cop then kicked his wife and also manhandled his mother and other accompanying family members. He said that his brother and father were forcibly taking to the police station and a “fabricated FIR” was lodged against them. He also alleged that instead the cops had beaten them mercilessly inside the police station.
He said that while his brother and father were taken away by the policeman, he managed to move towards SMGS hospital with his wife, who he said needed immediate medical attention. He said that his woes did not end there as near Nowabad police station, the CRPF did not allow them to move ahead in view of the lockdown and they “began hitting our car with sticks”.
He said that due to the “highhandedness of the police”, his wife could not reach hospital on time. He said that the baby died in the womb and the condition of his wife continues to be serious.