Bihar Minister Ashok Choudhary termed the Bharat Bhushan Tiwari encounter wrong and termed it as a conspiracy to target CM Samrat Choudhary by giving it an ethnic colour. At the same time, the victim’s family is adamant on demanding the arrest of the accused policemen and is on an indefinite fast.
Patna (Bihar) [भारत]July 5 (ANI): Bihar Minister Ashok Chaudhary on Sunday once again reiterated that the police encounter of Bharat Bhushan Tiwari was “wrong”. He also alleged that an attempt is being made to give caste color to this incident and target Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary.
Speaking to reporters here, the minister said it is the responsibility of the state government to reach out to the people and prevent this issue from creating social divisions. Ashok Chaudhary said, “His encounter was wrong, which I am repeating again and again. Some people are giving it a caste color… Some people are trying to divide the society, so being a Dalit, we are going there… Some people are deliberately trying to corner Samrat Chaudhary. Being a minister, it is our responsibility to go there and clarify these things.”
Family demands and indefinite fast
His statement comes amid sustained protests by the family of 28-year-old Bharat Bhushan Tiwari, who was killed in a police encounter in Bihar’s Bhojpur district on June 17. On Saturday, Tiwari’s family demanded the arrest of the policemen allegedly involved in the incident, withdrawal of false cases registered against the villagers and adequate security for the family.
Bharat Tiwari’s mother Asha Devi will continue her indefinite hunger strike until her demands are met, a family member said. The family member said, “My mother Asha Devi will continue her indefinite fast until Jagdishpur DSP Rajesh Sharma, Shahpur police station SHO Rajesh Kumar Mallakar, SI Ankit Aryan and STF jawan Akshay Kumar are arrested.”
Controversy over encounter: Family and police face to face
The family also demanded immediate security and requested that the investigating officer inform them before coming for investigation. They also demanded that the police withdraw the cases allegedly registered against the villagers after the encounter. The incident sparked controversy after a Facebook Live video surfaced, which was recorded shortly before the shooting. In the video, Tiwari is seen throwing his pistol towards the policemen.
While the family claims that he had surrendered and was shot despite being unarmed, the Bhojpur police say that he fired several rounds at the police team, in response to which they retaliated in self-defence. Following complaints from Tiwari’s family, Bihar Police has filed an FIR against Jagdishpur DSP, Shahpur SHO and other policemen in connection with the alleged wrongful killing. Investigation of the matter is ongoing. (ANI)
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