A jammed rifle, poor fitness and a cop's death

Bangalore, October 10: Did a jammed self loading rifle (SLR) and lack of physical fitness led to death of Mahadeva S Mane? Yes, according to some sources in the Karnataka State Reserve Police.

According to some of his colleagues, the SLR with Mane was defunct and could not fire, thus rendering him an easy target. While normally the person who carries the weapon maintains it by cleaning and oiling, the personnel are given weapons at random during emergencies, a source said.

“The SLR is a highly sophisticated and a sensitive weapon. If not used or not maintained properly, the weapon stops working. Unused SLRs or those with any problem should not be given to personnel, particularly to those operating in dense jungles. This indeed is a case of mismanagement,” an official said.

Mane's colleagues hold the top brass of Anti-Naxal Force (ANF) responsible for Mane's death. In spite of ambush threat by the ultras, Mane was not given a well-maintained SLR. He had even complained about the faulty rifle provided to him a few days ago, his colleagues said, demanding an inquiry into the incident.

Physical fitness

It is said Mane had undergone a major surgery on his right leg. He was unable to run and workout every day. His request to send him back to his parent organisation is said to have been turned down by the ANF, six months ago.

Mane was attached to ninth battalion of the KSRP. According to his colleagues, cops fighting ultras need to have quick reflexes and be strong, mentally and physically. It is in this backdrop that personnel aged between 30 and 35 years are drafted for the anti-naxal operations.

But Mane had crossed 40 years when he was selected for the ANF, much against his will, they claimed. Director General and Inspector General of Police Neelam Achyuth Rao told Deccan?Herald that he would order a detailed probe into the incident.

He said doubts persist on the quality of weapon given to him. The DGP also said he would seek explanation from the ANF chief on not heeding Mane's plea relieve him from the Force.

Family

Mane, a native from Bijapur was married to Shobha. His two sons Pradeep and Sandeep study in class VIII and IX in Police Public School and Chinmaya Vidyalaya, Bangalore, respectively. Appointed in 1993, he was attached to the eighth battalion in Shimoga after his training.

He was transferred to Bangalore in 1994 and attached to ninth battalion. He completed commando training programme in Haryana in 1995 and underwent security training for officers.

He was also part of the Special Task Force which hunted down forest brigand Veerappan. Mane was deputed to ANF about 16 months ago.

Suspicion

However, the police version of the encounter is being questioned by local residents. As the policemen were reportedly stationed in a more secure area and the bullet entered Mane's back, there is a possibility that it had come from his own team members, they say. “If the Naxals opened fire from the opposite direction, how can it enter the victim's back?,” a villager asked. Senior officials, however, dismissed the contention.

Compensation

DGP Neelam Achutha Rao who visited Belthangady Sunday evening announced Rs 10 lakh to Mane's family. The family would be allowed to retain its quarters for the time being and one member in the family will be given a government job.

Last respect

Neelam Achutha Rao, DGP, Bipin Gopalakrishna, ADGP (security), Bhaskar Rao, ANF IGP, Alok Mohan, IGP (Western range), Laburam, SP, Deputy Commissioner Dr N S Channappa Gowda, MLA Vasanth Bangera and district-in-charge Minister Krishna Palemar paid last respect to the departed soul at Belthangady police station in the evening.