Upset over transfer, two cops attempt immolation at DGP office

The police personnel on guard duty managed to overpower J Ganesan and Raghu and took them to the nearby police station. The duo alleged that they are being shunted out to the coastal district, without any valid reason, at the behest of AR inspector Srinivasan in Theni district. 

There was high drama at the DGP office, as the two policemen were interacting with media persons about their grievances when they suddenly took out a can full of kerosene from their bag and poured it over themselves. However, before they could set themselves on fire, other policemen in the vicinity managed to stop them.

Raising serious allegations against the inspector, the policemen charged that their plight was due to Srinivasan’s strong casteist activities and his apparent hatred towards other castes including the downtrodden. 

Ganesan said he had already worked in The Nilgiris district for four years after joining the force in 2013, and was transferred to native district on a merit-based routine rotation. “Out of the blue, I was transferred to Ramanathapuram despite informing the superiors that my marriage has been fixed. Following the news of transfer, the bride’s family has backtracked and stopped the marriage. An AR constable, Ramesh, had consumed pesticide in the campus itself due to Srinivasan’s harassment,” Ganesh said.

Reacting to the incident, Theni SP V Baskaran said Ganesh had participated in a bullock cart race in uniform without taking leave. Disciplinary action was taken against Raghu because ganja was seized from prisoners when he was on guard duty. 

The department has taken action against four persons, all of whom belonging to different castes, said the officer. “It is baseless to attribute motives saying that we have taken action based on castes,” the SP said.