Bengaluru police to launch sensitisation drives after delivery boy from Assam beaten up

BENGALURU: The city police will launch sensitisation drives for residents’ welfare associations (RWAs) and various neighbourhoods so that people are more sensitive towards Swiggy and Zomato delivery boys from Assam and the Northeast, the police informed the Karnataka Chief Minister’s Office (CMO). This was, in turn, conveyed to the Assam Chief Minister’s Office, sources said on Saturday.

This follows an incident wherein a Zomato food delivery agent was beaten up by occupants of an apartment in Electronics City after an eight-year-old girl accused him of taking her to the the terrace. However, it was later found out, with the help of CCTV cameras, that the girl had made a false claim. She had gone to the terrace alone and was playing there, it was revealed.

The Bengaluru city police, in a series of Tweets on Saturday afternoon, posted stating, “The patrol officers swiftly resolved the issue by obtaining CCTV footage from a nearby building. The footage revealed that the girl had left on her own, dispelling the allegations made. The officers warned the apartment residents who had acted hastily against the victim.

“The victim’s complaint has been duly received, further action will be initiated. To prevent future occurrences, the @BlrCityPolice will conduct community outreach meetings with apartment RWAs to raise awareness about such issues.

“We are committed to unwaveringly stand by the victims and vulnerable sections, ensuring their lives are dignified and free from discrimination” and tagged @CMofKarnataka, @himantabiswa, @CMOfficeAssam, @DgpKarnataka and @CPBlr.

The investigation was triggered after Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma tweeted a media report about a delivery agent from Assam who was harassed and tortured by residents over false charges. Sarma also tagged the Karnataka Chief Minister’s Office in his tweet asking the state government to take action.

“The acute harassment & trauma being faced by a delivery agent from Assam over fake charges is extremely disturbing. I request the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Karnataka to kindly ensure that adequate protection and justice is delivered to the said individual”, he wrote on Twitter.

Following the tweet, the Karnataka Chief Minister’s Office got in touch with the Bengaluru police commissioner and asked sought a report immediately, sources said. The Bengaluru Police Commissioner reported to the Karnataka CMO within 12 hours, they added.

The Karnataka CMO conveyed to its Assam counterpart that an enquiry has been initiated based on the harassment faced by the Zomato delivery agent. The police are also looking into the possibility whether racial differences triggered the incident, it said. (ANI)