DGP condemns attacks on cops, seeks harsher punishment for accused

The four accused in the Kalyan case were booked for attempt to murder after they allegedly tried to drown a police officer on Tuesday during the immersion of a Ganesh idol

Maharashtra Director General of Police Satish Mathur condemned attacks on policemen in the state on Wednesday after another attack at Kalyan, in which four men tried to drown a police officer. Mathur appealed to the youth, asking them not to attack police.

Mathur said that a majority of such attacks involve young assailants. (HT File Photo)

Read: Lady constable hit for towing illegally parked cars

The four accused in the Kalyan case were booked for attempt to murder after they allegedly tried to drown a police officer on Tuesday during the immersion of a Ganesh idol. The video of the incident has gone viral on social media. A complaint registered with the police said the four, who are on the run, attacked sub-inspector Nitin Dhagle, 38, who was trying to restart the immersion process the accused halted it.

Read: Maharashtra: Four men try to drown cop after tiff over Ganesh idol immersion

Mathur said that a majority of such attacks involve young assailants. He said the youth should realise that by participating in such acts, their career will be affected and they could be jailed. He said the police would request the state government to amend section of 353 (Assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty) and make the punishment more stringent.

On August 23, traffic constable Vilas Shinde was collecting the details of motorists at a Khar petrol pump when he spotted an underage biker riding without a helmet. The minor and his elder brother allegedly assaulted Shinde, who succumbed to head injuries.

Read: Khar traffic cop death: Accused in jail till September 20

On September 6, a woman police constable with the Vile Parle police station was allegedly slapped and kicked by a motorist, who she caught riding without a helmet on Tuesday morning. The police arrested the brother of the accused for abusing the police.