Combat dress lands youth in hot water

Itahari, November 5:

Two youths — dressed in army camouflage — got the shock of their lives when they were grabbed by the Nepal Armed Police, charged with barging into the police barracks and given the “thorough treatment” inside the barracks yesterday.

One of the youths said constables of the armed police tortured him inside the barracks. Bal Kumar Magar of Motigada in Triyuga municipality-7 (Udayapur) said police on duty at the main gate of the eastern region headquarters of the armed police force at Pakali (Sunsari) caught hold of him and tortured him. Bal Kumar was heading to Jhumka from Itahari on foot with Bhuvan Kumar Thakuri,16. Local rights bodies in separate statements today demanded a probe into the incident.

DIGP Sanat Kumar Basnet said action would be taken against the policemen if they are found guilty. “This is no big deal. The policemen advised not to wear combat dress. Civilians wearing combat dress is contravention of the law,” said Basnet.