Shruti Suman
A video showing female police officers in Madhya Pradesh dragging a woman by her hair has garnered attention and criticism. The woman, identified as Chaina Bai Kachi, was allegedly assaulted and detained after she demanded compensation for the placement of an electricity tower on her property in Kauriya village, located in the Katni district.
Amid accusations of excessive use of force by the police, particularly after the video went viral on social media, a senior police officer refuted claims that the woman had been physically harmed and insisted that the police had followed established protocols. Although the police acknowledged that the video was not recent, they refrained from providing a specific date.
According to Chaina Bai Kachi, she did not receive any compensation for the installation of the electricity tower on her land. When construction equipment arrived to set up the tower, she and her family attempted to impede its progress. Allegedly, the police responded by assaulting her and apprehending her along with four others.
In response, the woman and her legal representative visited the local administrative office and the district police headquarters to lodge a formal complaint against the actions of the police. She stated that she had not been compensated for the tower’s installation, as is customary. Chaina Bai Kachi accused contractors hired by the power company, along with revenue officials and police personnel, of attempting to seize her land.
Her lawyer criticized the treatment she had endured and highlighted the lack of attention being paid to her complaint. They communicated their request to the district administration to take action against the responsible officials and police officers.
During a press conference, Senior Police Officer Manoj Kedia asserted that the woman had caused a disturbance in public and had obstructed the installation of the electricity tower. Consequently, she was taken into preventive custody. The officer denied any claims of physical abuse by the police, stating that the female officers had acted within the confines of established regulations.
