Attack on family: Locals demand dismissal of 3 cops; RDO inquiry begins
TIRUVANNAMALAI: Clamour for dismissal and arrest of three policemen who attacked a couple and their son in this district grew louder on Wednesday with locals demanding to know why a brutal assault on civilians by policemen is being ignored. Few organisations have also raised a demand for booking the policemen under SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act since the victims belong to Dalit community.
Auto drivers in Chengam, where the brutal attack took place on Monday morning in public glare, went on a daylong strike demanding strict action against policemen who attacked their colleague Raja, wife Usha and son Surya, even as Revenue Divisional Officer R. Uma Maheshwari launched a probe into atrocities committed by the three policemen.
Maheshwari met eyewitnesses and inquired with them about the incident that sent shock waves across the State. Even as the couple and their son are recuperating at the District Government Hospital in Tiruvannamalai, a petition on their behalf was filed in Madras high court seeking registration of a case against the policemen.
Locals and auto drivers condemned the incident and termed “eye wash” the transfer of policemen concerned to Vellore armed reserve (AR) and demanded they be dismissed.
“The act deserves immediate arrest. Is transfer a punishment? The answer is certainly not. If a member of the public had thrashed people like this, will the police remain silent? These three policemen were so brutal they continued thrashing the couple even after their lathis broke. They should be immediately arrested,” Mani, an office-bearer of Chengam Auto Drivers’ Association, said.
He also demanded that the State government provide adequate compensation to the family, which suffered both mentally and physically at the hands of police.
Calling the incident as a “clear case of violation of human rights”, M. Mannulingam, president of Tiruvannamalai unit of Tamil Nadu Vanigar Sangangalin Peramaipu, said the policemen involved in the attack should be dismissed since the attack was made in full public view. “Police will learn lessons only if these three men in khaki are given stern punishment,” he said.
Ambedkar Puratchi Munnani president M. Durairaj alleged that the couple and their son were targeted because they were Dalits. “The policemen tortured the trio and did not even let them to be admitted at a hospital. Only after the public staged a protest outside the police station, they were taken to hospital. They should be booked under SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act,” he said.
CPI (M) district secretary M. Sivakumar said the party would organise a protest against the attack on Saturday.
As allegations flew thick and fast that the local MLA did not take any initiative, Chengam MLA M.P. Giri told Deccan Chronicle that he swung into action immediately after coming to know of the incident.
“I acted fast and I ensured that they get proper treatment. There was no lacuna from my side. I will continue to support the family and ensure that they get justice,” he said.
