MP cops told to make VIP list of RSS men

In a bizarre move that is bound to stir a controversy, the Madhya Pradesh government has decided to issue a direction to all police stations in the state to keep records of office-bearers of the local Rashtriya Svyamsevak Sangh (RSS) and other social organisations to “ensure that the September 25 incident in which a Sangh pracharak was assaulted by cops in Balaghat district does not recur”.

This was indicated by Madhya Pradesh home minister Bhupendra Singh. “Direction will soon be issued to the police to ensure that town inspectors have information about office-bearers of all social organisations, including the RSS, in their respective areas to make sure that the September 25 Balaghat incident is not repeated,” the home minister said.

RSS pracharak Suresh Yadav, who was summoned to the Baihar police station in Balaghat district on September 25 in connection with a complaint lodged by one Javed Khan alleging a provocative comment posted by him in WhatsApp had hurt his religious sentiments, was allegedly thrashed by policemen, leaving him seriously injured.

Ten police personnel, including an assistant superintendent of police, were placed under suspension in connection with the incident.

According to the home minister, the erring cops explained that they did not know that Mr Yadav was an RSS leader.

Mr Singh, however, described the plea by cops pleading ignorance about Mr Yadav’s affiliation as “absurd”, and added that even if the police personnel were not aware of his background, they had no business to assault him.