Dhrol shuts down protesting police excesses over mask rule

Rajkot: Dhrol town of Jamnagar district observed a complete bandh on Sunday to protest police excesses over implementation of Covid rules. Protesters claims cops allegedly beat up an angadia firm employee for not wearing mask on Saturday afternoon. The call given by local chamber of commerce and industry was fully supported by traders and businessman of the town.
Digvijaysinh Zala (44), a resident of Dhrol town, lodged a complaint against head constable Mahipat Solanki and constable Nilesh Bhimani under various sections of Indian Penal Code including 323 (punishment for voluntarily causing hurt), and 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace) among others.
According to sources, Zala was sitting at PM Angadia firm office at Hilal Complex when Solanki and Bhimani entered his office to send a parcel through the angadia firm. Both allegedly pulled up Zala for not wearing mask and later even thrashed him. They also took him to the police station where Zala was beaten up again. Zala received severe injuries near his eye and had to be treated in Rajkot after he was given primary treatment at Dhrol.
After the news spread, Zala’s community members as well as businessmen and traders rushed to police station demanding strict actions against the two cops. Local traders too alleged that they are being harassed by cops regularly over maintenance of Covid-19 guidelines which they demanded be stopped immediately.
A cross complaint was also lodged by head constable Solanki against Digvijaysinh Zala for obstructing public servant from discharging duty and also under sections of Epidemic Disease Act.