Jaisalmer: Barmer Deputy SP Jeevanlal Khatri was Sunday removed from his post and put on waiting list following protests over an incident in which he allegedly slapped and abused his driver, head constable Ramuram Meghwal. Khatri was put on Awaiting Posting Orders (APO) after hundreds from the Meghwal community and other groups in Chohtan organised a one-kilometre rally to the tehsil headquarters. The protesters submitted a memorandum to the SDM addressed to the Chief Minister, demanding the suspension of Khatri. Khatri was Circle Officer for Chohtan in Barmer district.Following the incident, Meghwal had reported the incident to Barmer SP, had alleged that the matter was initially suppressed despite informing senior officials. He claimed that while returning after investigating a case in Dhanau Thursday night, Khatri stopped his vehicle and slapped him for protesting the use of abusive language against him. Meghwal said he was being isolated within the department and could not work in such an environment. Barmer SP Narendra Meena had Meghwal on APO after the incident.Nagaur MP Hanuman Beniwal, Barmer MP Ummeda Ram Beniwal, and Baytu MLA Harish Chaudhary had called for an impartial investigation into the slapping incident. The Meghwal community, led by former MLA Padmaram Meghwal, demanded a judicial inquiry instead of a police-led investigation.DGP Rajeev Sharma is scheduled to visit Barmer on Sept 16.
