MANDI (Munish Sood)
The mother of a 22-year-old girl, Pramila, who was critically injured after being shot in the chest allegedly by Himachal Pradesh Police Head Constable Manoj Kumar, has spoken out about the horrifying incident that took place on January 28 at their native Kathogan village under Tikkar panchayat of Sarkaghat in Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi district.
She recounted how she was out collecting grass when she received a frantic call from her uncle, informing her that her daughter had been shot while washing utensils in the courtyard. In a state of shock, she rushed home and, with the help of villagers, took her daughter to Riwalsar Health Centre.
Family refuses offer for help from cop
After initial treatment, she was referred to Ner Chowk Medical College where doctors confirmed that the bullet was lodged dangerously close to her heart, making immediate surgery necessary. She was then taken to PGI-Chandigarh where the bullet was removed, but she remains in critical condition.
The victim’s mother has also alleged that Manoj Thakur approached them with Rs 10,000, offering financial assistance and claiming he would provide more if needed. The family outrightly refused his offer.
Manoj Thakur courted controversies earlier too
Head Constable Manoj Thakur, currently serving as a clerk in Police Chowki Mandi, has courted controversies earlier too.
Having nearly 4.5 lakh followers on Facebook and known for his viral poem against Pakistani soldiers during the Kargil War, he was suspended in 2020 after being accused of making videos in uniform and for allegedly spreading fake news and making derogatory remarks on Facebook.
First FIR lodged against unknown person
Initially, it wasn’t clear who fired the bullet and whether it was fired from a gun or an airgun that’s used to scare away monkeys as simians are rampant in the area.
However, the victim’s parents have now filed a complaint alleging that it was Manoj Thakur who pulled the trigger. The CT scan mentions the injury was likely caused by a bullet-type object.
As a result, an FIR, initially registered against an unknown person, is now being re-evaluated by the police. Sarkaghat DSP Sanjeev Gautam said that an investigation was underway and further action would be taken based on the allegations and medical reports.
Public outrage on social media
Social media users have raised pertinent questions over the police investigation:
- Why did it take 12 days for the Himachal Pradesh Police to register an FIR under the Arms Act?
- Would he have gone unpunished if the victim’s parents had not filed a complaint?
- Why is the media being informed so late about the bullet hitting the girl near her heart?
- Why hasn’t he been suspended and arrested yet? What is stopping the authorities?
Police investigation itself comes under scrutiny
DSP Sanjeev Gautam stated that though an FIR had been initially registered against an unknown person, the police had now received a fresh complaint directly implicating Manoj Thakur.
He assured that the matter would be thoroughly investigated and that a fair trial would take place. However, he also emphasised that no action could be taken merely based on videos and that the doctor’s report would be a decisive factor in the investigation.
