IN a communique sent to the chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on June 27, AIAWU joint secretary Suneet Chopra has brought to the commission’s notice the fact of "privatisation of the police force in many parts of the country." The communique described as appalling the fact that men-in-uniform are being bought by liquor barons and politicians to terrorise and even murder people in cold blood.

The event the communique brought to the commission’s notice was the attempt to murder a young, 27 years old trade unionist, Yadavendra Singh Bhola s/o Sardar Gopal Singh, at his home in Gajsinghpur in Sri Ganganagar district of Rajasthan on June 24 evening. The attack was organised by Phul Chand, in the presence of Anwar Khan, the local SHO. Phul Chand is the son of Kundan Lal Miglani who is a liquor contractor and had been a minister in the state.

This shameful episode involved those very persons who were accused in the murder of the state CITU vice president Darshan Singh Koda on December 18 last year. It will be recalled that Koda’s murder had sparked off a mass agitation at that time. The people’s support to the agitation led to, among other things, installation of Koda’s statue at the cross-roads near the bus stand on May 27 this year, in presence of over 20,000 people. This shows how people are sick and tired of the nexus between the police and the liquor mafia in the district.

Incensed with this setback, the liquor baron, his son, his henchmen and the police decided to murder Yadavendra Singh Bhola, another CITU leader in Gajsinghpur. When Bhola was out with a friend after dinner on June 24, he witnessed an altercation between Miglani’s son and some others. Not wanting to be part of the altercation, he left on a motorcycle. But he was beckoned and stopped by some people in a Maruti Esteem. It was then that he was fired upon at point blank range. But he somehow escaped.

Reaching home immediately, Bhola phoned the police. Havildar Hans Raj took the call and informed him that a report had been lodged against him. Bhola decided to wait for the police to come. When they did, Bhola came out and was surprised to see the SHO, Anwar Khan, and the same people in a Maruti there. He was threatened and shot in the leg with a shotgun.

When Bhola cried for help, people gathered immediately and the SHO fled. The people caught two constables but released them. The reason was that the people, who were determined to get the criminals booked, had had no animus against the police. The curious thing is that at no point did the SHO attempt to arrest Yadavendra Singh. This suggests that the idea may have been to murder him, as his arrest would have prevented the murder plot effectively.

Then the whole crowd of some 500 people proceeded towards the police station. But they were fired upon by Miglani’s henchmen and family members from the roof, injuring many. Of then, 14 had to be hospitalised with gunshot wounds. Miglani’s claim was that he was fired upon and wounded, but he was never brought to the hospital. Also, the doctor at Gajsinghpur is a relative of Miglani and had refused to treat the wounded or certify their injuries so that a case could be registered. Moreover, it is curious that 14 of those who were supposed to have participated in an armed attack on the Miglani house, were in hospital with gunshot wounds while none of those who were outside behind his gates were wounded. This is a most unusual state of affairs for an attack said to be premeditated.

The role of the superintendent of police, R P Singh, is doubtful. He met only Miglani. A police enquiry has been ordered, but one cannot expect justice where even this arm of the law functions as a private army of those who can pay for it. This is the reason the AIAWU leader sent his communique to the NHRC. Also, 13 of the 14 youth are Dalits and need social protection from the liquor barons.

The persons hospitalised after the attack by Miglani’s men were (1) Yadavendra Singh Bhola (2) Roshan (3) Shamsher (4) Kashmir (5) Vijay (6) Krishan (7) Inderjit (8) Krishan Lal (9) Subhash (10) Jaipal (11) Ishwar (12) Rakesh (13) Shyam Lal and (14) Indu Lal.