Ballia,

01 Oct (HS): The Station House Officer (SHO) of Ubhaon police station was

suspended from his position and an investigation was launched against him after

he reportedly baton-charged and misbehaved with people near a Durga pandal

following an accident there, authorities said on Wednesday. Two motorbikes

crashed near the Durga pandal of the Indian Club, and police were called. When SHO Rajendra Prasad Singh arrived at the

scene, he reportedly used an unwarranted baton charge, which sparked indignation,

according to authorities. On Tuesday night, angry neighbors held a nearly

five-hour sit-in against him in Belthara road town, according to authorities. Members

of the Indian Club and other Durga Puja committees joined the demonstration at

the pandal premises, even turning off the lighting in solidarity.

After

obtaining information, Additional Superintendent of Police (North) Dinesh Kumar

Shukla and Circle Officer (Rasra) Alok Gupta arrived at the scene. According to

ASP Shukla, SHO Singh was dismissed and an investigation was turned over to CO

Gupta, after which the sit-in ended. According to Superintendent of Police

Omvir Singh, Sanjay Shukla has been appointed as the new SHO of the Ubhaon

police station.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi