THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Daltonganj, Dec. 17: Civil courts in Daltonganj are far more fortified than Latehar civil courts. This observation was of the IG of police Palamu zone R K Lakra, who had recently conducted a security audit of the civil courts in Latehar.
Lakra said, “Although the civil courts in Daltonganj are much fortified, there is one issue. It is very near a road overbridge (RoB). This road over the bridge, barely meters from the main building, is a factor; nevertheless, we take all care of the civil courts here in Daltonganj.”
Clashes with Tana Bhagats
The civil courts in Latehar shot into national headlines when, in October 2022, violence broke out in the premises of the civil courts.
The clash broke out between the Tana Bhagats (Gandhian by attire) and the small police force before it could be reinforced.
Also Read: Over 100 fitness freaks participate in Jamshedpur Walkathon today
The Tana Bhagats pelted stones. Angry slogans against the judiciary were raised. Total chaos was created in the civil courts, forcing the battery of the judicial officers to scurry to safety.
Latehar police had a tough time in taming and containing the violence. It tear-gassed and lathi-charged the protesting Tana Bhagats.
Around a dozen Tana Bhagats, including five cops, were hurt in the clash. 30 Tana Bhagats were caught and jailed then for causing unprecedented violence in the precincts of the justice.
Schedule 5 provisions
The Tana Bhagats demanded the implementation of Schedule 5 provisions in the judiciary and the executive.
The civil courts in Latehar continue to have some deficiencies even today. However, the IG of Police Palamu is very calm and reticent about it.
When asked about the nature of the deficiencies or their quantum or impact, the IG said, “The deficiencies are not very alarming. It’s more infrastructure-related. The deficiency does not make the civil courts in Latehar vulnerable.”
The IG said that the security arrangements in the Latehar civil court have gone up following clashes with Tana Bhagats.
“Following that incident (read October 2022), our learned lawyers have become far more cooperative with police. Police frisking of lawyers goes on. There is no problem,” Lakra said.
Prisoner van
The IG denied that there is any laxity on the part of the police here regarding the prisoner van bringing in jail inmates for their appearances in their respective courts.
The civil courts in Latehar have no DFMD (door frame metal detector). However, cops use HMD (hand metal detector) on the visitors, mostly litigants and clients.
There is just 1 CCTV camera installed in the civil courts in Latehar. Efforts are being made to have more such installations.
The IG said he would send his security audit report of the civil courts Latehar to the police headquarters in Ranchi ‘very soon’.
Latehar SP Anjani Anjan
Lakra was accompanied by the Latehar SP Anjani Anjan and his team of police officers. There was none from the civil courts’ side during the security audit.
