Mistaken identity of police constable

MANGALDAI, Oct 11: Mistaken identity of a police constable with an AK-47 rifle that too in civil dress accompanied by an informer led a section of the people of Kharupetia in Darrang district to think them to be the member of the militant outfit which has resulted a panicky situation in the area recently and the constable was over powered by the people as he opened fire in the air for self defence. The police team and Army from Kharupetia camp immediately rushed to the spot to pick up the cop along with an informer who was also in possession of a service pistol. As it was learnt acting on a tip off, Additional Superintendent of Police of Udalguri deputed one of his Personal Security Officer (PSO) accompanied by an informer to trace out a gang dealing with smuggling of AK series rifle. Posing as a buyer, both the constable and the informer had made contact with the gang and the place for the deal was fixed at a place in Dalgaon but later they asked them to come to Kharupetia. Accordingly, the PSO namely– constable Manik Deka and the informer reached Nageswar locality of Kharupetia town and overpowered one of the member of the gang. On seeing the scuffle between them, the people of the locality gheraoed them thinking the constable and the informer as militant cadres who were trying to kidnap one person. The constable opened fire in the air but the agitated people even physically assaulted them. Meanwhile, taking the chance of the hue and cry, the member of the gang managed to make good his escape. Talking to The Sentinel, Udalguri Additional Superintendent of Police Longlit Terang admitted that the constable did not inform the local police about their mission and that has resulted the confusion. THE SENTINEL