The State Minorities Commission has started a drive to make policing sensitive when it comes to arrests of youth from marginalised sections, including Muslims.
As two cases of alleged police harassment had lead to the deaths of two youth in Guntur and Vikarabad, and since more complaints are piling up with the Commission regarding police harassment, officials of the Commission will now engage in dialogue with Superintendents of Polices and Commissioners in districts and cities in the twin States.
In two separate incidents in Gatkesar and LB Nagar, two youth who were arrested for petty offences had earlier harmed themselves in the past one month, the Commission observed.
“There are several such cases which are coming to the notice of the Commission and we with our limited resources are taking up each matter seriously. In each of the district visits, we are in touch with Superintendents of Polices and asked them to create awareness among their police personnel to show sensitivity where it is required,” said Abid Rasool Khan, Chairman, Minorities Commission.
The Minorities Commission got other cases, mainly from Hyderabad where Muslim youth filed complaints against police for harassing them.
In some cases which have come to the notice of the Commission, youth have accused constable-level officers of using abusive language, assault and intimidation during questioning and investigation.
Notices served to police
“In a recent case, we had served notices to Pahadisharif police for harassing wives of two accused. The Commission had sought an explanation from the Commissioner of Police,” Mr. Khan said.
The Chairman added that with an increase in the number of such cases, police would only lose trust and confidence of people.
‘Feels threatened’
“Muslim community in itself will feel threatened by law-makers, who are supposed to protect them. The police need to build confidence among people from marginalised sections,” Mr. Khan said.
As per the Commission, in public hearings conducted during the past two years, several youth had given testimonies against the police.
“Both the State governments should allocate funds to the State Minorities Commission for conducting this drive at a larger scale,” the Chairman said.
It notices an increase in number of cases where minority youth have been abused after arrests
