Kolkata: Debarati Chakraborty, a Bengal Police constable, stood up for the force on Thursday, saying the cops have families and children too and that they shouldn’t be targeted for everything happening around.
Debarati has another identity. She is the wife of Debashis Chakraborty, the Kolkata Police sergeant in charge of East division cyber cell who was seriously injured in the left eye when a brick hurled by a protester hit him during the Nabanna Abhijan on Tuesday.
Debarati is also the mother of a five-year-old son, who celebrated his birthday on Tuesday.
“A lot of people say a lot of things about the police, but our husbands also take a lot of risk and work. We haven’t come from any other planet. We too are human beings. Many blame the police for everything. Now that my husband has been injured badly, who should I blame? I know it’s his duty but what if he has a permanent vision loss,” Debarati asked.
“I don’t know what happened that day. He is very cool-headed. His eye has been damaged badly. The department is planning to take him to Hyderabad,” said Debarati, adding that the state and KP brass were helping her in ensuring the full recovery of her husband.
The entire force — from the brass to the constables — expressed their solidarity with Debashis by updating their social media display pictures with his bloodied face. “We cannot join a rally seeking justice. At least we can show that we are together,” said a senior officer.
Chief secretary BP Gopalika visited the sergeant at the hospital on Thursday, following the CM’s directive. On Wednesday, CM Mamata Banerjee had questioned: “Who will take responsibility for the police officer who lost an eye in the Nabanna protest?”