It was not just murder - the Indian police also stole from the dead
tea shop owner's cash box. And the Commissioner of POlice insists
that the men did no wrong.
India calls itself a "democracy" and Indians have a smugness and
arrogance that they use to look down on their neighbours.
The "emperor" looks complately naked here and this is a particularly
ugly sight.
Mehul Kamdar
http://newstodaynet.com/newsindex.php?id=3108%20&%20section=13
No storm in tea cup
Archives - Editorial
Sat, 15 Dec, 2007,02:37 PM
.
The death of a teashop owner in the Vadapalani police station,
allegedly beaten by the police, needs to be roundly condemned. It is
gruesome reminder of the evil side of our society which fails to get
the attention it deserves from the authorities. The men responsible
ought to be punished -- severely -- only that will serve as a strong
lesson to the entire force. Because such high-handedness has been
reported ever so often, not to speak of atrocities against detainees
in the name of the law.
The Tamilnadu police department at one time served as a model to
other States where not only behaviour but also efficiency were
concerned. The lure of easy money, by way of bribes, extortion,
cheating and every such way has made them greedy so much so they not
only demand money, but also resort to extortion.
.
That is what is reported to have happened at Vadapalani. Eyewitnesses
said three constables, supposed to be on patrol, stopped at the shop
that morning, it was 4.30, ordered tea and when the owner, 43-year
old Syed Ali, asked for money the three men walked away muttering
that the demand was impertinent. They returned at 7 'o'clock and
asked Syed and his assistant Anthony to march to the lockup. There
the former was believed to have been beaten up as result of which he
died. His son Jamshed was informed by telephone that his father had
died and the body was at the Royapettah hospital mortuary. Reports
also said the policemen took Rs 1000 from the shop cash box. Police
said Syed Ali was selling lottery tickets, therefore they took him
into custody. The area DC said her men had, indeed, seized some
tickets from Syed. From the demonstrations and the demand for action
against the guilty those accused of the guilt it looks as though the
tickets story is just an excuse for taking the victim to the station.
Their version sounds too far fetched and it is unlikely a raid would
be conducted at that unearthly hour. Moreover, three men in a van to
capture a teas shop owner? And the police said he was sick and died
as a result? The post mortem report has said that he died of heart
attack.
However the policemen are not able to show any tickets when the
demonstrators demanded. If the Commissioner of Police trusts his men
to do no wrong, he should see that the probe is perfect, he should
invite witnesses, not threaten them, and if it is not asking too
much, the enquiry should be open, not the usual committee which
comes to a conclusion the government wants . Will he do that? Will he
show that the cop is a friend of those whom he has to protect, will
he bring back the department to its old glory? The people wait for an
answer. The shroud of mystery behind this poor mans death should be
lifted. The government should show the masses that it is indeed the
poor and downtrodden (words uttered <I>ad nauseum<P>) it is out to
help. The government admits that an efficient and dedicated force is
an essential pre-requisite for good governance, so its role 'is of
paramount importance' in the rapidly changing socio-economic
environment; for ensuring peace and tranquility so essential for
development. To meet new emerging threats and challenges requires a
change in strategy and approach, not only towards crime and
preservation of law and order, but also towards fulfilling the needs
of common man. The challenges of the future are formidable only if
the administrators are not fully prepared to face them.
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