Tamil Nadu police assault: NHRC issues notice to Chief Secretary, DGP

The National Human Rights Commission described the alleged police assault on anti-liquor protesters in Tirupur as a "serious violation of rights", and issued notices to the Chief Secretary and Tamil Nadu DGP in this regard.

"The Commission has observed that it appears the police had taken the law into their hands by exceeding their power in resorting to indiscriminate beating of the protesters," NHRC said in a release.

"A senior officer himself had gone to the extent of beating those women who were standing helpless and defenceless," it said referring to Additional Deputy Superintendent of Police Pandiarajan allegedly slapping a woman and pushing two others.

"The act of the police is nothing but a serious violation of human rights as well as the rights guaranteed to women for their self-respect," the Commission said.

NHRC said it issued notices to Chief Secretary Girija Vaidyanathan, DGP T K Rajendrian and Tirupur Superintendent of Police E S Uma, calling for reports within two weeks on the "widely reported incident of police excess while dispersing about 300 people."

Quoting reports, NHRC said the residents had yesterday staged a protest against the opening of a retail liquor outlet "and in that process they blocked the highway."

"The reports also state that the police tried to persuade the protesters, but in vain," it added.

The liquor outlet in Tirupur district was closed today following outrage over the 'assault' on a woman by a police official during the crackdown on the protest against the shop.

The police officer's act, caught on camera, drew strong condemnation and protests, following which the district administration ordered closure of the outlet in Samalapuram, about 20 km from Tirupur. An enquiry was also ordered into the incident.