Patna, Aug. 3: The alleged apathy of police is pushing a Banka resident to the door of Naxalites.

Sachidanand Mandal, a 34-year-old resident of Telia village in the district, came to deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi’s janata darbar yesterday with one last hope for justice. He was determined if attempt failed too, he would approach the kangaroo court of the rebels.

In March, Mandal was allegedly thrashed by some rich people in his village when he had tried to complain that their goats were grazing in his field. Mandal said they even broke his hand and his brothers had to rush him to hospital.

“I lodged an FIR with Banka police station on March 24 against three persons. When I came out of the hospital eight days later, the police told me that a counter case had been filed against me. My agony didn’t end there, as the police refused to take action against the persons I had named in my complaint,” said Mandal.

Mandal also said that the investigating officer of the case demanded money from him to pursue the case. “I sent registered letters to the DGP and other senior officers to bring the matter to their notice but no action was taken. I even visited the janata darbar of the Banka superintendent of police but to no avail,” added Mandal.

Thanks to the counter case lodged against him, Mandal is now unable to return to Delhi where he used to work as a daily wage earner.

His two brothers cultivate the family’s three-bigha land in the village.

“Our condition has become miserable and there is no hope of respite in near future,” said Mandal.

Citing reasons for his decision to go to the rebels for justice, Mandal said: “I would have not even thought of shunning the peaceful way of life and joining hands with people who are not averse to adopt violent means but this non-delivery of justice is getting onto my nerves.”

The deputy chief minister managed to provide some solace to Mandal. After hearing his problem, Modi spoke to the Banka superintendent of police (SP) over the phone and directed him to look into the matter.

Mandal, however, has not given up the rebel option yet. “This is the last time I am knocking on the government’s door. I will wait for another 15 days. If the police act on the directive of the deputy chief minister well and good, else I would knock the doors of Naxalites, as I know they deliver instant justice,” Mandal told The Telegraph.