Date:19/05/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/05/19/stories/2005051917120400.htm

Andhra Pradesh

DCP hands over lathi, couple beats assaulter

Staff Reporter

Hundreds witness to history-sheeter's `punishment'

HYDERABAD: Usually, naxals organise `Praja Darbar' (people's court), that too in remote areas. But on Wednesday, the State capital too was witness to it. The `darbar' was at the behest of the city police, and a couple could beat up a history-sheeter who allegedly assaulted them two days ago.

On learning about the alleged attack on Mary and her husband, Narsing, by the history-sheeter Jitender, the West Zone DCP, N. Sanjay, today went to Mehdipatnam crossroads and sent a special party to catch him.

Around noon, the Jitender was produced before the DCP. When Jitender reportedly admitted to the assault, the DCP called the couple to the spot even as hundreds of locals gathered there.

The top cop then handed over a lathi to the couple and asked them to punish Jitender. Narsing took the lathi and beat the history-sheeter even as the stunned crowd looked on.

Heckling at cemetery

Mary works with a voluntary organisation that helps the Hyderabad Detective Department in taking care of abandoned children. She, along with her husband, had gone to Bhojagutta cemetery where their newborn twin sons were buried last year.

While there, Jitender and his associate started heckling them. When they objected, the duo allegedly attacked the couple. The next day, they approached the DCP seeking action against the accused.