Massive protest over youth’s death in Katra

Ramban, Aug 08: Following the assurances of the Police and civil administration, protestors who staged a massive protest over the death of a youth in Katra called off the protest on the second day, Thursday.

Official sources said a youth Anmol Dogra, 25, son of Puran Chand of Maitial, Ward No 13, Katra, along with two others were detained during the investigation of a theft case on August 6.

Dogra was found hanging inside the lockup of the Police Station Katra on August 7.

According to SP Katra Vipan Chandran, Dogra committed suicide by hanging himself with the help of a blanket while two others inside the lockup were asleep.

Later his body was shifted to Community Health Centre (CHC) Katra where a postmortem of the body was conducted by the board of doctors and the body of the deceased was handed over to the legal heirs on Wednesday.

However, Dogra’s family members alleged that they had no information that he was arrested by the Police in Katra.

The family members and the locals who staged massive protests on Wednesday and Thursday in Katra alleged that Dogra died in Police custody due to alleged torture by the Police.

On Wednesday SDM and Additional SP Katra had assured the people and family members of Dogra that an inquiry into the death of Dogra was underway.

On Thursday, a large number of locals again staged a massive protest.

The protestors were demanding a judicial inquiry into the death of Dogra, suspension of SHO Katra, and engagement of a family member as an SPO.

Sensing the gravity of the case, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Reasi , Mohita Sharma on Thursday afternoon Vide Order No 392 dated August 8, 2024 ordered attachment of SHO Police Station Katra, Inspector Nishant Gupta at District Police Lines, Reasi, with immediate effect.

PSI Rajat Sahani, who was posted at Police Station Katra, has been posted as SHO Police Station Katra till further orders

Officers from the Police and civil administration assured protestors that the SHO Police Station was attached and judicial inquiry would be initiated shortly.

On these assurances, the protestors called off the protest and took Dogra’s body for last rites.