Tamil Nadu police assault: NHRC issues notice to Chief Secretary, DGP

The NHRC described the alleged police assault on anti-liquor protesters in Tirupur as a serious violation of rights.
Additional Superintendent of Police Pandiarajan assaulting a woman protester at Samalapuram near Palladam in Tirupur district on Tuesday | Express
Additional Superintendent of Police Pandiarajan assaulting a woman protester at Samalapuram near Palladam in Tirupur district on Tuesday | Express

CHENNAI: Terming the police assault on protesters in Tirupur district a serious case of human rights violation, the National Human Rights Commission has ordered notice to Chief Secretary, DGP and district SP, seeking reports from them in two weeks. The commission observed that the police appeared to have taken the law into their hands in exceeding the limits. State Human Rights Commission Chairperson Justice T Meenakumari said the Additional Director-General of Police/Director of Investigation Division of the rights body would probe the allegations.

"A senior officer himself had gone to the extent of beating those women who were standing helpless and defenceless," it said referring to Additional Deputy Superintendent of Police Pandiarajan allegedly slapping a woman and pushing two others.

"The act of the police is nothing but a serious violation of human rights as well as the rights guaranteed to women for their self-respect," the Commission said.

NHRC said it issued notices to Chief Secretary Girija Vaidyanathan, DGP T K Rajendrian and Tirupur Superintendent of Police E S Uma, calling for reports within two weeks on the "widely reported incident of police excess while dispersing about 300 people."

Quoting reports, NHRC said the residents had yesterday staged a protest against the opening of a retail liquor outlet "and in that process they blocked the highway."

"The reports also state that the police tried to persuade the protesters, but in vain," it added.

The liquor outlet in Tirupur district was closed today following outrage over the 'assault' on a woman by a police official during the crackdown on the protest against the shop.

The police officer's act, caught on camera, drew strong condemnation and protests, following which the district the administration ordered closure of the outlet in Samalapuram, about 20 km from Tirupur. An enquiry was also ordered into the incident.

(With inputs from PTI)

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