DHULE: The police custody of the six cops who were arrested on Friday on charges of theft and breaking open a stall during the Dhule riots of January 6 was on Saturday extended by three more days, even as senior lawyers termed the charges "too mild" and demanded action against the officers who ordered firing and cops who fired above the waist. The policemen have been identified as Liladhar Sonawane, Ganesh Patil, Chabulal Vende and D S Sonawane (SRPF) and police constables Jawahar Pawar and Yogesh Shinde.
The police on Saturday said they were preparing to arrest four more men, all civilians, who were suspected to be involved in looting during the riots. "We have the names and addresses of three of them. They are under the scanner, and once the legal procedure is complete, they will be taken into custody," investigating officer Ghanshyam Patil said, adding that an investigation was also on against one more person.
Terming the arrest of the police personnel on charges of looting and theft as an eyewash, local residents and senior lawyers on Saturday demanded immediate action against the officials who ordered the firing and the police personnel who fired at people above the waist. "This is a very serious offence. However, instead of taking action against them, police personnel involved in looting were arrested. While the arrests are a positive development, the policemen alleged to have been involved in murder should also be arrested," said lawyer P C Pawar who on February 6, filed a PIL in the Dhule sessions court on behalf of the relatives of those killed in the police firing. The PIL demands action against the SDM and DYSP who ordered the police firing.
Advocate N D Surywanshi also echoed similar concerns. "Yesterday's arrest is an eyewash. Also, the sections of IPC imposed on them are not appropriate for the crime they have committed. There are stricter sections in the Penal Code. They should be tried under those," he said.
Six people were allegedly killed in police firing and more than 200 injured in the violence that broke out at 2.30 pm on January 6. The violence, which continued for about two hours, was allegedly triggered after a small dispute broke out over the non-payment of a bill at a food stall in the Macchi Bazaar area of the town. The food-stall owner allegedly assaulted a youth who refused to pay the bill. The youth left the place but returned with some his friends, following which violence broke out.
Dhule riots: Custody of six policemen extended
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Dhule riots: Custody of six policemen extended
