TENKASI: Even as P Manikandan, the farmer in Maruthamuthur who was shot in the leg by sub inspector of police Esakkiraja in Alangulam recently, is yet to get back on his feet, his family says they are at the receiving end of online abuse from the policeman’s supporters, justifying his action. Esakkiraja has accounts on several social media platforms. In the aftermath of the firing on April 7, media persons who were in need of Esakkiraja’s photos downloaded them from his social media pages in which he posed with different guns in uniform and civil dress.
Although the accounts could not be accessed on Thursday, texts and videos praising his policing continue to be uploaded on social media allegedly operated by his supporters. One such video, which was widely circulated, has added insult to injury of the palmyra climber’s family who are yet to come to terms from the incident.
In the video, a youth is seen saying “Some people claim that the police officer is casteist. If what they say is true, how long would it have taken for him to direct the gun at the farmer’s chest instead of his legs?” He continues “A policeman is accountable for even a single bullet that is fired from his gun. Esakkiraja used four bullets, which should have not been done without a reason.
As Esakkiraja’s life was at risk, he shot Manikandan in self-defence. If something had happened to Esakkiraja, people would have staged protests saying there is no safety even for police.” Commenting on the video, Manikandan’s brother P Sivan Ponraj said, “Soon after shooting my brother, Esakkiraja chased me away from the scene, threatened my panicked elderly father to talk in favour of his action and videographed it.
The inspector also recorded a similar video. The videos have intentionally been leaked to social media users to portrait my brother as a ganja addict. It took at least two days for my father to come out of trauma,” he added. Sources said Esakkiraja and two other personnel brought Manikandan from his residence to his farm in a two wheeler to check if he was tapping toddy or sap (pathaneer).
Heated arguments arose between the two followed by a scuffle. As Esakkiraja was allegedly injured, he fired four bullets towards Manikandan, of which three hit his legs, allegedly in front of his minor niece and nephew. Manikandan is still undergoing treatment. Esakkiraja, meanwhile has been placed under suspension. Manikandan, his family members and Esakkiraja have been booked in separate cases.