Kochi: Crime branch DySP Udayabhanu K.S. who is investigating the case in connection with the custodial torture of Usman in Edathala has collected the CCTV footages from Kunjattukara and nearby places on Friday. "The CCTV footage has been collected from the local police and I hope it could resolve most of the issues related to this case. My investigation focuses only on Usman and the other police officers who are accused of the attack," said Mr Udayabhanu. The local police had earlier conducted a preliminary investigation before handing over the case to he crime branch.
Apart from the two separate cases against Usman and the four police officers, the local police is investigating the violence during the police station protest. Also, the presence of ASI Induchudan who was under suspension at the spot is also investigated. Meanwhile, cases have been registered against 200 men after a woman police officer, Jertina Francis, was attacked during a protest outside the hospital where Usman was undergoing treatment.
Jertina, the sub-inspector of police is admitted in a private hospital at Edappally with bone injuries. The local police on Thursday collected the CCTV footage from Kunjattukara where the incident happened. Even as the police claims that it was an unregistered vehicle of one K.K. Anas that brushed against the police vehicle, they are yet to get a statement in this regard from Mr Anas.
Police tighten patrol
Meanwhile, anticipating the chances of robbery, the police has tightened day and night patrolling in the city limits, city police commissioner M.P. Dinesh has said. The police will inspect the identity cards of those who are found suspicious. Vehicle checking on the main roads, highway sides will be increased. Police will continue patrolling and increase security near banks, financial institutions, places of religious worships, malls and other business enterprises as a precaution.
The city police has warned people who plan to go for trips with no one at home to inform the nearest police station. The police will have an additional surveillance at such places, the city police commissioner has said. The statement from the city police also warned people not to leave the news paper, milk unattended in front of the house.
