Southern States - Tamil Nadu-Chennai   

`Rights violation in police custody not unusual here'

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI Oct. 9. Violation of human rights in police custody has become commonplace in all 29 districts of Tamil Nadu, the Campaign for Custodial Justice and Abolition of Torture, an umbrella body of about 160 non-governmental organisations, alleged today. Policing involved sending 400-500 personnel, carrying oversized lathis, to villages identified as ``trouble-prone'' and cowing down the villagers, CCJAT functionaries told presspersons here.

From May to October this year, 36 cases of human rights abuses had been investigated and found true by the body, its State convener, S. Pandian said. Seventeen custodial deaths occurred during the period, he said. The Government was found wanting in taking action against the offenders in the police force. The Goondas Act was being misused to send many people to jail. Similarly, the Prevention of Terrorism Act, which provided wide-ranging powers to the police, should be withdrawn, he said.

To discuss the issues involved and seek support for the movement, the first State-level convention on custodial justice and abolition of torture would be organised here on October 11. The CCJAT east zone convenor, K. Rajavelu, said the convention would be the basis of strengthening the movement for custodial justice. About 300 delegates representing various social movements and democratic organisations from all over the State would participate. Victims of custodial violence would address this convention. The CCJAT would set up a forum for victims of violence, he said. Resolutions would be adopted on prison reforms and in places of detention such as police stations, mental health institutions, children and women's homes. The main themes to be discussed were defining torture in Indian law, the reforms required in the criminal justice system and the Police Acts and the need for complying with human rights standards.

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