Police launch probe into assault by officers

THE police internal investigation team will look into an alleged police brutality case involving seven officers in Northern.
The officers allegedly assaulted a young man who was hospitalised as a result, acting provincial commander Chief Sergeant Edric Boera said.
Boera said the incident caused tensions among local communities in Oro Bay who petitioned him to address the situation.
“It was an unfortunate situation because I personally talked to the villagers and they released the youths to surrender,” he said.
“The villages were concerned about the safety of their children and I talked to them and on a good understanding they let us arrest the youths.
“And for one of them to be taken out and brutalised is unacceptable, the police have to be held responsible,” Boera said.
According to Boera, the youths from Oro Bay were allegedly involved in the shooting of a policeman investigating a holdup in Banderi along the Popondetta Afore Highway.
He said the young man was among the youths held in custody at the Popondetta police station cells when the seven policemen took one of the youths out, blindfolded him and allegedly tortured him.
Boera said the young man was left at the hospital.
“We have identified the policemen and I have contacted the divisional head at police headquarters who are preparing charges,” he said.
“The villagers protested and we spoke to them with an understanding that action will be taken against those officers involved in the incident,” Boera said.