On March 21, two schoolboys from the Janjati community, Prashant Dhele and Anand Ingle, hailing from Lohara village in Akola’s Balapur taluka, were allegedly beaten severely by a police officer. The incident occurred when Assistant Police Inspector Gopal Dhole of the Urla Police Station reportedly took action against the boys for posting a WhatsApp status that featured an image of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on horseback. The assault took place around 7 am, sparking widespread outrage among local villagers. In response, the villagers gathered and marched to the district Superintendent of Police (SP) office, demanding strict action against the officer involved.
The accused officer reportedly lost his temper after seeing the schoolboys’ WhatsApp status. According to local reports, residents claimed that Inspector Dhole summoned the two boys and viciously beat them with a baton. The students sustained injuries and were rushed to a local hospital for treatment.
The alleged act of custodial violence sparked outrage among villagers. More than fifty residents from Lohara gathered at the office of Akola Superintendent of Police Bachchan Singh to file a formal complaint against Inspector Dhole, demanding his immediate suspension. In their complaint, they described the assault as inhumane and a blatant abuse of police authority. The villagers emphasized that the incident not only posed a danger but also highlighted the excessive and oppressive behaviour of the police. They urged the authorities to act swiftly to ensure justice.
Sakal Hindu Samaj organised a protest outside the Superintendent of Police (SP) office, demanding swift action. Speaking to the media, Rajeet Gawande, a Hindu activist, strongly condemned the incident. He remarked, “It is deeply condemnable that police officers are targeting Hindu youths and assaulting them so inhumanely. If Inspector Gopal Dhole has any courage, let him shut down the illegal rackets and slaughterhouses operating in his jurisdiction.” Reports suggest that similar complaints have been filed against Inspector Gopal Dhole in the past, but no action was taken by senior officials.
In response to the protest, the SP ordered an internal inquiry into the matter. While the police have yet to release an official statement, media reports indicate that senior officials are treating the matter with utmost seriousness.
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