Chhattisgarh: 'I was beaten up for asking a question to CM'

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posted on 12 years ago — updated on 1 second ago

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Anwar Hussain has alleged that police beat him up for two hours and his eardrum has ruptured.

Raipur: An office-bearer of Chhattisgarh Youth Congress has alleged the local police had beaten him up for asking a question to Chief Minister Raman Singh at a farmers' meeting held in Raipur on October 7. Youth Congress general secretary for Raipur Lok Sabha constituency Anwar Hussain (30) charged he was bashed up by the police for putting a question to the Chief Minister after the farmers' meeting held in Raipur, leading to a rupture in his left eardrum and he was experiencing excruciating pains in his stomach and back since the incident.

"I tried to hand over a memorandum to Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar attending a programme in Raipur on October 7. Since he (Pawar) did not accept my petition, I asked the Chief Minister during the programme organised by Indira Gandhi Agricultural university about the reason behind an anomaly between production of paddy and actual area under cultivation," Hussain said. "However, the Chief Minister accused me of being drunk and asked the police to take me out of the meeting. "The police beat me up outside the venue for two hours. I sustained injuries on my back, stomach and ear in the attack," he alleged.

According to Hussain, he was first sent to a local jail and then shifted to Bheem Rao Ambedkar Hospital and again transferred to jail before his "unconditional" release on October 9. He claimed doctors at Ambedkar Hospital told him about having a hole in his eardrum. Raipur SSP Deepanshu Kabra rejected Hussain's allegations saying he was attacked by the mob at the meeting being addressed by the Chief Minister when he tried to create a nuisance. Kabra said Hussain has alleged that he was beaten up and lodged a complaint against an Inspector. Police were looking into the complaint.

Meanwhile, opposition Congress criticised the BJP government over the incident and expressed concern over Hussain's health. It demanded he be sent for a thorough medical check-up at government expense. Chhattisgarh Congress president Nandkumar Patel sought answers from the state government over the issues raised by Hussain relating to paddy procurement. Patel accused the Raman Singh government of being insensitive and suppressing the voice of those who dare to speak against its policies.