Scars of police torture haunt Poovarasan

Chennai:

Nearly nine months have passed but the scars of police torture
continues to haunt Poovarasan as CB-CID is allegedly going slow on the
case after filing a FIR on the directive of Madras High Court.



Poovarasan, a dalit youth, was illegally detained and tortured by
police inspector Kandiban of Kaveripakkam police station in Arakonam
taluk of Vellore district along with Mohan, special sub inspector and
constables Sundar and Velmurugan on September 2014 after he allegedly
protested entry of lorries into Athipattu village to reach sand
quarries.



“Four months ago the case was handed over to CB-CID on the directive
of Madras high court, who also orderd a FIR to be registered against
the four policemen. Apart from filing of FIR, no action has been taken
against the policemen. They continue to enjoy their office and
discharge their duties,” said V Suresh, national general secretary of
People’s Union for Civil Liberties.



Poovarasan while recounting the horrors of torture broke down while
stating how he was stripped and beaten after being taken into police
custody while protesting against the entry of lorries through his
village.



Interestingly, it is not only Poovarasan who highlighted the
allegations of high-handedness by policemen after protesting against
sand mining on Palar River. Even Kalathur village in Vellore district
faced the ire of sand mining contractors when they protested against
setting up of sand quarry in Sankaranpadi-Kalathur area.



Rights activists during a press conference demanded that it is time
the government gives an assurance in writig that sand quarry will not
be set up at Sankarapandi-Kalathur area. They also demanded that
alleged false cases booked agaist protestors on instigation by sand
mining contractors should be withdrawn besides Kalathur people should
be given protection from sand mining contractors.



Suresh also demanded adequate compensation be given to victims of
police brutality. “Policemen acting in nexus with sand smugglers
should be immediately transferred from the area, pending
investigation, Suresh demanded.