Chhattisgarh CM orders removal of Kabirdham collector and SP

Raipur: Chhattisgarh chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai late on Friday ordered the removal of Kabirdham district collector Janmejay Mahobe and superintendent of police Abhishek Pallava following the tragic incident in Loharidih village on Sunday that has claimed lives of three villagers till now, including a custodial death of a local villager Prashant Sahu.Chief minister Sai also ordered for a magisterial inquiry in the case.
The way matter triggered and escalated in the past four days, it has been an embarrassment for the state govt, with opposition Congress aggressively demanding action against those responsible and justice for the kin of the deceased.
An official order issued by the General Administration Department late on Friday stated that IAS from batch 2016 Gopal Verma has been appointed as the new collector of Kabirdham, replacing Janmejay Mahobe. Another govt order stated that Rajesh Kumar Agarwal will take over as the new superintendent of police, in place of Abhishek Pallava.
In compliance with the Chief Minister's directive, Kabirdham district collector has appointed additional district magistrate Nirbhay Kumar Sahu as the inquiry officer. He will be responsible for conducting a thorough investigation in the matter related to death in custody and will be submitting a report within 30 days.
This action is the third removal of an IPS officer due to law and order situation in the state. CM had ordered suspension of Vikas Kumar an IPS and additional SP of Kabirdham, on Thursday following the incident of arson, murder and violence after which, one of the alleged accused who was arrested among 68 others, was found dead in prison.
Amid allegations by villagers and opposition Congress about police's alleged mistreatment and beating the villagers, a total of 23 police personnel, including the inspector and assistant sub-inspector of the Rengakhar police station were removed on Friday.
Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai emphasized that any negligence leading to such incidents in the future will not be tolerated, and strict actions will be taken against those responsible. The government aims to ensure accountability and restore trust within the community in the wake of this unfortunate event, he said.
Prashant Sahu who died in prison due to alleged beatings by the police triggered anguish among locals who demanded strict action against those responsible. Disturbance in Kabirdham's Loharadih village in Rengakhar started on Sunday after a village mob lynched deputy sarpanch Raghunath Sahu upon getting enraged over alleged suicide by one Kachru Sahu, holding Raghunath responsible for his death. Kachru was found hanging in neighbouring Bijatola village in MP and considering the enmity between deceased and Raghunath, villagers in large numbers attacked latter's family, set his house on fire and killed him.
Police had rescued three family members of Raghunath's family who were admitted at hospital while other relatives were taken to safe places. The village mob launched an attack on police as well, in which the SP and other cops were hurt.
Over 69 people were arrested from the village, including Prashant who was allegedly beaten up by the police on orders of ASP Vikas, alleged the villagers after he was found dead in prison. His condition was bad when he was taken to hospital and though he was taken back to prison, his health deteriorated leading to his death, police said, adding that he was suffering from seizures and was an alcoholic.
Opposition Congress has called for 'bandh' on Saturday against the 'deteriorating' law and order situation in Chhattisgarh and in particular against the incidents in Kabirdham.