It is day 3 of India’s complete coronavirus lockdown and there have already been disturbing reports of cops allegedly assaulting people on the streets despite the fact that they were out to purchase essentials.
According to The Indian Express, a van driver named Sonu Sah delivering potatoes in Danapur town was shot in the leg by three constables near Patna, Bihar. He was quoted saying,
“I was first asked to take the vehicle to the police station and they hinted that I should talk to senior officers and that the matter could be resolved after paying Rs 5,000.”
Yahoo News reports that all three policemen have been arrested on charges of extortion and attempt to murder.
Bhanu Shekhar Prasad Singh, president of the Bihar Truck Owners Association (BTOA), was quoted saying,
“In the last three days, I got calls from over a dozen truck drivers who were held at several checkposts even though they had been carrying… essential items. One such case was reported from Areraj, Motihari on Thursday. Police have been indirectly asking for bribes… disrupting the supply chain and making crisis an opportunity.”
Earlier, a station house officer (SHO) posted at the Mahidpur Police Station in Ujjain was suspended for allegedly posting a threat to a local WhatsApp group. We hope that officials investigate these matters and take action to prevent them from happening in the future.