Two policemen were today suspended for thrashing a farmer in Beed district of Marathwada, while the latter was in a queue to pay crop insurance premium.
The two police constables have been suspended and an inquiry ordered into the incident, Superintendent of Police, Beed, Anil Paraskar said today, a day after the incident.
The video of the cops thrashing the farmer with cane and kicks went viral on social media and was telecast by local TV channels.
The farmer, Manohar Ashruba Gandhle, owner of five acre farm land, had come to the rural bank at Talwada in Gevrai tehsil.
What apparently triggered the police action was that he had stepped out of the long queue at the bank, and was involved in a verbal exchange with some others in the queue.
Yesterday was the last day for payment of the crop insurance premium. That date, revenue minister Eknath Khadse announced in the Council yesterday, has been extended by a week, till August 7.
Condemning the incident, Leader of Opposition in Maharashtra Legislative Council Dhananjay Munde said it reflects the failure of the Home department headed by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis.
"I have seen the video. The policemen are seen beating the farmer as if he is some kind of an animal. Is this how police are supposed to protect the common man," he asked.
