Residents protest against use of excess police force on protesters

Organised by Arappor Iyakkam, the protest titled ‘Restore Democracy Now’ saw participation from different activism groups across the city, who along with the citizens, condemned the highhandedness and excess misuse of power of the police and the government over the last few months.

Speaking at the event, Jayaram Venkatesh, convenor, Arappor Iyakkam, highlighted the failure of the government to deal with environmental and people’s issues in a democratic manner. 

“It is important to struggle non-violently. But the government has failed to address these issues. In case of problems, the people can approach the Collector - and he must respond in a democratic manner. The Collector should hear the representations of the citizens. But in Thoothukudi, the Collector did not meet the protesters even once during the 100-day struggle. In the Salem Greenfield Expressway project too, the Collector used the police to threaten people. The government is trying to create fear among people by using police, separating the middle and upper middle class from the struggles of the poorer sections of the society,” said the activist.

Rapper Sofia Ashraf performed, followed by Carnatic vocalist TM Krishna, who rendered his “Poromboke Song,” highlighting the government’s failure in environmental issues.

Nityanand Jayaraman spoke about the importance of making democratic institutions like Pollution Control Board accountable. The protestors tied ribbon around their mouth making a symbolic representation of the government curtailing the freedom of speech.

Karuna M, a resident of Adyar, said that it is condemnable that the citizen’s voices are stifled in a democracy. “We need to raise our voices and protest,” he added. Suchitra, a doctor, said that the police too should be blamed, because more often than not, they accuse the victims.

The protesters demanded that the government should stop environmental issues becoming a law and order problem.

They pressed for the cessation of arrests of activists and residents for questioning government policies. The government should organise public hearing before launching projects and stop harassing landowners, unwilling to part with their land. They demanded for immediate implementation of the Seven Directives of Police Reforms as per the SC order in 2006.