Police are on the lookout for a group of men who attacked a motorist during a protest organised by the Viduthalai Chiruthaikal Katchi near the Sri Lankan Deputy High Commissioner’s office on Friday.
The motorist was beaten up in full view of media persons, when he asked the protesters why they were holding up traffic for so long, when hundreds of vehicles had been stranded in a heavy traffic jam.
The victim, Sundar (43), a carpenter from MGR Nagar, was on his way along with a colleague, to a bank to deposit a cheque.
VCK was protesting the visit of Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa to the country. About 100 cadre led by general secretary Thol. Thirumavalavan gathered near Loyola College and raised slogans. Police kept the protestors 300 metres away from the Sri Lankan Deputy High Commissioner’s office on Sterling Road.
Traffic on Sterling Road and its linking roads came to a complete halt as protestors gathered on the road. Media persons present there recorded the grievances of motorists who were stuck on the road for more than an hour.
“Sundar’s two-wheeler was caught in traffic close to a group of protestors. He was one of the few motorists who questioned the group and honked in request for some way for motorists to pass. Enraged, five VCK men pounced on him and assaulted him,” said an investigating officer.
As policemen watched and other motorists froze in fear, the man was thrashed by the group. He was rescued only after a while by a few policemen after the intervention of media persons.
Investigators are examining the videos and photographs from the scene and have zeroed in on five men. However, Sundar did not lodge a police complaint until Saturday evening, as he was apprehensive, police said.
Keywords: Viduthalai Chiruthaikal Katchi, assault, Mahinda Rajapaksa,
Strange indeed. "Protesters" are attacking fellow Tamilians here under
the pretext of supporting suffering Tamilians in another country. And
the Police benignly watch the whole show, as if it doesn't concern them.
Whether a complaint is lodged or not, whenever there are enough
evidences, there is a need to proceed with the case.The absence of
complaints could be due to fear element as expressed by the victim in
this case and the same can happen in many other cases too. This may be
become true over a period in the larger contexts of Law and Order,
Crime and Traffic Violations. This should not be leading to a
situation that we praise ourselves that things are under control.Like
traffic offenders are caught on a camera installed at various points,
we should also take legal action against people who cause public
disturbance.
Taking Law in to their hands had become a passion with supporters of
some political parties. Placing Illegal Hoardings & Banners for self
publicity, painting on public walls, bursting country made crackers
etc.even owners/drivers who drive car with party flag in the vehicle
think no one will question them if they break traffic rules and Park
their vehicle blocking traffic. the above incidence involving VCK is an
example of misusing public place for private benefits.
I was one of the victims of this traffic chaos. This is totally atrocious. What rights do these hooligans have to beat an Indian citizen, for no harm he has caused to them? My office is located on Streling road and it being a major link road, it was a real mess and when I asked a policeman standing near the barricade for entry into Sterling road, it was turned down!
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