The death of a labourer in Kharkada village, part of the Barwala region in Haryana's Hisar district, sparked tension on Sunday. Enraged by the suspicious circumstances surrounding the death of 40-year-old Bintu, his family carried his body straight to the Barwala police station and sat down on a protest right outside the gate. Their accusations were pointed squarely at the police.
How The Events Unfolded
According to the family, the chain of events began with a complaint over a family dispute. In connection with that matter, police summoned a total of five people — including Bintu — to the station for questioning on Friday. The relatives allege that all of them were made to sit at the station throughout the day, and it was during this time that Bintu's health began to deteriorate without any relief being offered to him.
The family says Bintu's condition suddenly worsened after he returned home late on Friday evening. He was rushed first to a private hospital in Barwala, but given how serious his condition was, he was referred from there to Agroha Medical College. He died on Saturday while undergoing treatment.
Sit-In And Demands At The Station
News of Bintu's death filled the family with anger. On Sunday morning they arrived at the Barwala police station with his body and sat down in front of the gate. They argued that it was the police's harsh treatment and mental harassment that led to Bintu's death. The family demanded action against the officer investigating the matter and a fair, impartial probe into the entire case.
As soon as word of the protest spread, senior police officials and local social representatives reached the spot. After lengthy discussions between the two sides and an assurance of appropriate action, an agreement was finally reached. The relatives then took the body to the village, where the last rites were performed amid a sombre atmosphere.
A Family Pushed Into Crisis
Bintu was the sole support of his household and ran the home through daily-wage labour. He is survived by his wife and two children. The sudden death of the family's only earning member has plunged them into both financial and emotional distress, and a wave of grief has swept through the entire village.
Police Reject The Allegations
The police, on their part, have dismissed all of the family's accusations as baseless. According to Barwala Station House Officer Inspector Karamjit Singh, there was neither any harassment nor any negligence during the questioning. He said the relatives had themselves come to the station with their complaint, and that following a meeting held in the presence of villagers and prominent local figures, they were satisfied and left to carry out the last rites.
