Custodial death allegation of a sexagenarian man sparks tension in Kailashahar

In a shocking incident, a 65-year-old man allegedly died while in police custody, with family members accusing the police of beating him to death after his arrest. The incident triggered severe tension in the Deoracherra area of Kailashahar under Unakoti district on Friday.

The deceased sexagenarian Manir Ali, a daily wage labourer and resident of Ward No. 3 of Deoracherra ADC Village under Gournagar Block in Kailashahar, was arrested late Thursday night. According to reports, a non-bailable arrest warrant had been issued against him by a court for allegedly failing to provide maintenance to his divorced wife.

Following the warrant, police from Kailashahar police station arrested Manir Ali from his residence around 2 AM and took him to the police station. Family members alleged that the police personnel were intoxicated at the time of the arrest and behaved in an abusive and indecent manner with both Manir Ali and his family members.

They further claimed that Mani Ali was forcibly taken from his home and made to walk to the police vehicle before being transported to the police station. According to the family, he was physically fit at the time of arrest but was brutally beaten inside the police vehicle, leading to his death.

Later at around 3 AM, police allegedly informed the family over phone that Manir Ali had fallen ill and had been taken to Unakoti District Hospital, asking them to come to the hospital. Although the family did not go immediately, they reached the hospital early in the morning only to learn that Manir Ali had already passed away.

The news of his death sparked outrage among relatives and locals gathered at the hospital premises. When questioned, the doctor on duty refused to comment on the matter and reportedly behaved rudely with media persons also.

Hospital sources stated that Manir Ali was brought to the hospital at around 3.15 AM., admitted for treatment, and was declared dead at approximately 4:40 AM.

As news of the death spread, a large number of residents from Deoracherra village gathered at the hospital, creating a tense situation. A large contingent of police and TSR personnel, led by Kailashahar police Officer-in-Charge (OC) Tapash Malakar, rushed to the spot to control the situation. When asked about the incident, the OC stated that he could not make any comments without permission from the department.

After the post-mortem examination, Manir Ali’s body was handed over to his family members on Friday afternoon for last rites.

Meanwhile, the family has reportedly submitted written complaints against the Kailashahar police station authorities to the Director General of Police (DGP) and the SP of Unakoti district, alleging custodial torture leading to death.

The family has openly claimed that Manir Ali died due to police brutality and torture.

Reacting to the incident, Unakoti District Congress President Mohammad Badruzzaman said that the deceased was a long-time active worker of the Congress party and that his death was a major loss for the party in the Deoracherra area. He demanded a proper investigation into how Manir Ali died while in police custody and said that a Congress delegation would soon meet Unakoti Superintendent of Police Sudhambika R. He said that party would soon stage a protest and gherao the Kailashahar Police Station over the incident.