“Asked his name, assaulted after learning he was Muslim”: FIR against five Forest off
“Asked his name, assaulted after learning he was Muslim”: FIR against five Forest officials in Gujarat
M.U.H
28/08/202657
An FIR has been registered against five Forest Department employees in Gujarat’s Kutch district, three days after the assault of a Muslim youth from Loria village in Bhuj, following the intervention of the Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR).
Farid Haji Mer was allegedly stopped by Forest Department employees and asked his name before being assaulted.
The organisation alleged that the assault took place after the employees came to know that Mer was Muslim.
The alleged assault left Mer seriously injured. He is currently undergoing treatment at G.K. General Hospital in Bhuj, where he has also undergone an operation.
APCR said it began approaching the concerned authorities immediately after the incident, seeking registration of an FIR and a proper investigation. However, the FIR was not registered immediately, despite the seriousness of the allegations.
“After three days of continuous efforts and representations by APCR, an FIR has finally been registered against five employees of the Forest Department,” the organisation said, emphasising “A person alleging serious physical assault should not have to repeatedly approach authorities before a criminal case is registered.”
The FIR was registered against all five Forest Department employees.
The organisation said the registration of the FIR was an important step given the seriousness of the allegations, particularly as the accused are employees of a government department.
“Government employees are expected to exercise their authority within the law and to protect, rather than violate, the rights and dignity of citizens,” APCR said, adding that if officials are found to have assaulted a citizen or misused their position, appropriate action should follow..
The civil rights organisation said it is providing Mer’s family with legal assistance and guidance and will continue to follow up on the case.
The organisation has urged the authorities to conduct a fair and impartial investigation, examine the allegation of religious discrimination, record statements of all relevant witnesses, consider the medical evidence and take action against those found responsible.
“Public office cannot be used as protection against the law,” APCR said.
