Three policemen posted at the residence of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Karia Munda were abducted on Tuesday, 26 June, allegedly by the members of ‘Pathalgarhi’ community, reported ANI.
Pathalgarhi is reportedly a practice in which villagers inscribe various tenets on huge stone slabs and ban outsiders in their area.
The police, on Tuesday, had taken action against some Pathalgarhi leaders in Khunti district by attaching their properties. Supporters of Pathalgarhi then allegedly barged into the house of the Lok Sabha MP at Anigada-Chandidih and took away the three policemen and their weapons in the afternoon.
The MP was not present at the house during the incident, he said.
While speaking to ANI, Munda said the abduction was undoubtedly carried out by the members of the community.
There is no doubt that they were from the Pathalgarhi community. They had come here to find someone. Their motive is to paralyse police administration to establish their rule.Karia Munda, BJP MP
Locals Obstruct Search Operations
Police, on Wednesday, fired tear gas shells and used batons to disperse a mob obstructing their search operation to rescue the three policemen at Ghaghra, Superintendent of Police of Khunti district, Aswini Kumar Sinha, told PTI.
The police and the district administration tried to convince the villagers at Ghaghra village to set the constables free and swung into action when they refused to do so, Malik, said.
He said those indulging in such activities in the name of Pathalgarhi, would be dealt with as per the law.
Malik said people tried to obstruct the police from executing an arrest warrant against, Yusuf Purti, the main accused.
He managed to flee but his property has been attached, Malik added.
Heavy police force was deployed and the SP of Khunti and Deputy Commissioner Suraj Kumar were reportedly present at the spot.
(With inputs from ANI and PTI)
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