Police brutality: Pregnant woman beaten up by cops in Mansa district

Mansa, Punjab (May 22, 2014): Another case of police brutality against women has surfaced in Mansa district of Punjab. According to a news reported by The Tribune: [a] few policemen allegedly beat up a pregnant woman at Ralla village in the district today. The policemen allegedly kicked the woman on her stomach, leaving the 23-year-old hospitalised.

The victim, Karamjit Kaur, was reportedly trying to rescue her younger brother from the police beating.

The woman suffered gestational bleeding, following which she was admitted to the Primary Health Centre in Joga. From there, she was referred to the District Hospital in Mansa.

The police, accompanying a kanungo, reached the village today for demarcation of a disputed piece of land involving the victim’s brother and a villager.

In their complaint, the victim alleged that the kanungo demanded a bribe of Rs 20,000 from her family, which they failed to arrange. “As a result, the revenue official favoured the other party. When we lodged a protest, the police rained lathis on us,” she alleged.

Senior Medical Officer Dr Nishan Singh said, “The victim suffered bleeding but her condition is stable.”

SHO Jugraj Singh refused to comment.

SSP Bikrampal Singh Bhatti said, “Action will be taken against the policemen if they are found guilty.”