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Tamil Nadu-Chennai
By Karthik Subramanian
The Union has forwarded a complaint filed by casual labourers, M.Bhoopalan and his brother, M.Kumar, alleging ill treatment at the hands of the police. The casual labourers, who are pavement dwellers in Rattan Bazaar region, have said in their complaint that the Flower Bazaar C1 sub-inspector, A. Kannan, detained them for more than 48 hours, forcing them to confess to possession of weapons that they did not have. ``Bhoopalan received the most severe injuries on his limbs. He is currently staying at the residence of one of the union members fearing for his life.'' His brother, who is helping him with daily chores, fears that it might be several months before Bhoopalan is able to earn his daily wages. "The strength has totally left him and I wonder how he will ever pedal a fish cart again," Kumar said. The wives of the workers too have signed the complaint. Bhoopalan's wife, S.Kala, who is a flower vendor, has alleged that the writer of the police station detained her beyond midnight and kicked her on her chest and behind. According to the complainants, trouble began last Sunday afternoon in Flower Bazaar area when one Anandan, a pavement dweller of Elephant Gate area, with the help of a gang, threw soda bottles at Bhoopalan. Personal enmity is being cited as a reason for the fracas. In retaliation, Bhoopalan had thrown some bricks. "Several children were injured when the bottles were thrown. I was forced to react," Bhoopalan said. Bhoopalan's wife had rushed to the nearby C1 Flower Bazaar police station to file a complaint. When the police rushed to the spot, the miscreants had already fled. Bhoopalan, who rides a fish-cart, was off for some routine work in the region. His wife, Kala, was reportedly detained in the police station an hour past midnight. At around 9 p.m. on Sunday, the police detained Kumar. Meanwhile, Bhoopalan `surrendered' to police the next morning. Over the next two days, both the workers were allegedly beaten up by the police. "They kept asking me where I had hidden the knife. I informed him that I was nowhere near Flower Bazaar when the fight happened. But the police never listened," said Kumar. Bhoopalan, who has several scars on his limbs, alleged that he was tied to a bench and the police used lathis to beat him up continuously. The two were released only on Tuesday evening, after one of the local politicians intervened on behalf of them. They were asked to submit their ration cards and collect them after paying Rs.500. The cards were returned after a representation was made to the State Human Rights Commission. However, the sub-inspector Kannan, said the allegations were false and denied that any violence took place at the police station. He also claimed that the arrests were made only on Tuesday, and not on Sunday and Monday, as alleged by the complainants. Meanwhile, after the Union approached the State Human Rights Commission, the sub-inspector reportedly returned their ration cards. Meanwhile, the Joint Commissioner (North), C. Sylendra Babu said the complaint was being investigated. "The pavement dwellers are opposed to the eviction drive of the police and it might be a false complaint. The injuries that Bhoopalan and Kumar are showing were possibly sustained during the gang clash last Sunday," he added.
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