Rajkot: A total bandh was observed in Mundra town, while there was partial closure in Mandvi town of Kutch district over deaths of two youths in police custody.
All shops and establishments in Mundra remained closed on Monday. Even internal streets bore a deserted look throughout the day.
Three youths from Samaghogha village near Mundra town were picked up by police on January 12 over suspicion of theft and they were allegedly tortured in custody. One of the youths, Arjan Gadhvi died before reaching hospital on January 19, while the second, Harjog Gadhvi succumbed to injuries in a hospital in Ahmedabad on Saturday (February 7) last after three weeks in treatment.
Total eight persons including seven cops and former sarpanch of Samaghogha village Jayveirsinh Jadeja have been booked for murder.
Two cops inspector J A Padhiyar and GRD constable Viral Joshi have been arrested, while other accused are still at large. In a fresh twist to the case, leaders of the Gadhvi community have alleged that former sarpanch Jadeja wanted possession of the village land on which the deceased were cultivating.
They further alleged that police acted on behalf of the Jadeja and illegally detained the three youths. They claimed that Jadeja too tortured the two deceased in the police lock-up in Mundra police station.
On Monday, over 5,000 people had gathered at Samaghogha village to express their solidarity with families of the victims of alleged police brutality. During the bandh call given by the leader of Gadhvi community, prayers were held and pictures of the accused cops were burnt. Community members also demanded immediate arrest of accused who are still absconding.
Body of Harjog that arrived in the village on Monday noon was accepted by his family after the intervention of senior police and revenue officials.
Vijay Gadhvi, a community leader said, “We wanted to send a message to the administration that the victims are not alone. We put three demands before the administration that they should provide protection to the witnesses, in this case, protect our agriculture land so that nobody can take possession forcefully and provide compensation to the victim’s family.”