
PATHANAMTHITTA: A family of three was injured after they were allegedly assaulted by the police in front of a bar here in the early hours of Wednesday due to a case of mistaken identity, triggering widespread public outrage.
According to police sources, a patrol vehicle arrived at the bar following a complaint from the manager about troublemakers. In their attempt to control the situation, the police allegedly thrashed everyone present near the bar, including the family whose vehicle was parked there.
Eyewitnesses claimed that some family members who stepped out of their vehicle were assaulted as the police tried to disperse the crowd. Three of them, including a woman who slipped and fell while trying to escape the attack, sustained injuries.
Political leaders strongly condemned the incident. CPI(M) Pathanamthitta district secretary Raju Abraham criticised the police for their excessive force and demanded strict action against the officers involved.
Congress leader and Pathanamthitta MP Anto Antony alleged that there had been "total anarchy" in the district for months. He accused the police of failing to curb crime and instead becoming perpetrators themselves, calling for immediate action against the erring policemen.
Meanwhile, Pathanamthitta Deputy Superintendent of Police S Nandakumar said statements from both the injured persons and the police officers involved were being recorded as part of the investigation.
"Let me complete the investigation, and action will follow," Nandakumar told reporters.