Police informer left in lurch

Darpan Singh, Agra

Even as people residing in about a dozen areas in Tundla and Firozabad continue to live in a state of terror after dreaded criminal Durgesh Jatav went berserk, spilling blood at several places, late on Monday evening, there is one victim here who is battling death facing him in more ways than one.

Police informer Bhuvnesh, who was shot at by Durgesh during a police encounter at Tundla, has been left to fend for himself. Hurt by bullets, he is feeling cheated by police as well. And the twin dangers of Durgesh and his injury are far from over. While he was admitted to a government hospital in Agra, Tundla City CO, who was also injured in the exchange of fire, is undergoing treatment at a well-equipped private nursing home here.

Worse, the Agra police have, at least officially, refused to acknowledge Bhuvnesh as a police informer. When contacted, Range DIG NK Shrivastav told HT, “No, Bhuvnesh is not a police informer; he is civilian who was caught in the crossfire.” The police stand seems to have badly hurt the victim’s family. Said a member, “Police often do not disclose informers’ names for the latter’s safety. But in this case, when Durgesh himself fired at Bhuvnesh, there is no logic but sheer callousness in disowning him.”

Till Tuesday morning, no senior official had visited the victim. A few policemen did come but nobody promised any monetary assistance for his treatment, alleged the family. It also alleged that despite Durgesh going all out to kill informers, there was hardly any security for the family. “Had the criminal been caught dead or alive acting on our son’s tip-off, the credit would have gone to the Firozabad police. So when his life is in danger, he should be protected,” said another family member at the hospital.

The condition of Bhuvnesh continues to be far from stable with hardly any sensation in his limbs. A bullet has gone past his neck. The fear-stricken family is struggling hard to arrange money required for his treatment. The victim’s father, Gaindalal, a retired teacher, said, “Earlier, informers used to be regarded part of the police force and such expenses were shouldered by the government.” A visibly shaken Gaindalal said, “Police did not even bother to take us to hospital. They just informed us about the shootout.” The family said if this was the reward, not many people would come forward to help police.

Meanwhile, the government is mulling to increase the reward on Durgesh’s head from Rs 20,000 to Rs 1 lakh. This will be the highest amount announced for any criminal in the State. Four of his accomplices, including his two brothers and an uncle, are already carrying cash rewards on their heads. A team lead by the Range DIG has already been constituted to nab the criminal and his associates. The Special Task Force (STF) will also assist the newly-formed police team.