An altercation between a policeman and a youth in a village near here on Sunday left the latter with the prospect of losing vision in one eye.
M Raju (26) of Kollar Street in Punnainallur Mariamman Koil village and his friend Sathakatthulla were returning on a motorcycle after dropping one of their friends at the Mariamman Koil bus stand on Sunday evening when the incident occurred.
At a particular place, they saw children playing on the street and tried to stop their bike, but the vehicle skidded and Raju and Sathakatthulla fell down. Following this, they allegedly questioned those standing nearby about permitting children to play on the road. This led to an argument between them and the mother of a child.
In the meantime, Saravanan, the child’s father, who is a head constable at the Thanjavur Medical College Hospital police station, arrived at the spot and allegedly created a ruckus.
As Raju and Sathakatthulla were trying to confront Saravanan, he ran into the house and brought out his lathi and allegedly beat Raju. Raju’s left eye was badly injured and he was rushed to the Thanjavur Raja Mirasudar Hospital. The injury Raju suffered is said to be serious. One of the doctors treating Raju, speaking on conditions of anonymity, said “Raju may not regain vision in his injured eye.”
Raju is under treatment at the Government Raja Mirasudar Hospital with his left eye bandaged.
Recalling the incident, Raju said that even as an altercation was on, the head constable returned with an iron rod and hit him from behind. “My eye started bleeding. Doctors say I would not get back the vision in my left eye. I have appeared for the exams for postings in the Railway Protection Force and the army,” Raju said.
Taluk police station Sub-Inspector Sasikala, based on a complaint filed by Raju, registered a complaint against head constable Saravanan, his wife and his father under Sections 294B (abusing using obscene words), 324 (voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons), 355 (assault or criminal force with intent to dishonour a person).
Meanwhile, allegedly as an afterthought, Saravanan also filed a complaint against Raju and got himself admitted to the Thanjavur Medical College Hospital. The Taluk police also registered a case under Sections 294 (b), 324 and Woman Harassment Act against Raju and two others.