Members of the Madras Pawn Brokers Association staged a demonstration on Wednesday accusing the Thiruvanmiyur police of harassment.
About 400 members of the Association gathered in front of the Thiruvanmiyur police station demanding the immediate release of two pawn brokers, who were allegedly detained by the police since April 18.
After prolonged negotiation, the police released the two persons on Wednesday, police sources said.
Secretary of the Association Tejaram Pawar said police took away Mohanlal and Jitendar, both pawn brokers having shops in Kandanchavidi and Thiruvanmiyur respectively, saying that some accused persons had mortgaged stolen jewellery in their shops. Even as the two produced records to prove that no such jewellery was mortgaged, the police detained them.
“Mohanlal and Jitendar do not buy or sell gold jewellery… they are only pawn brokers. But, police claimed that they bought stolen jewellery and forced them to give a few sovereigns of gold or Rs.30,000 cash. We sent telegrams and petitions to the Director-General of Police, Commissioner of Police and other senior officials,” he said.
Mr. Pawar said pawn brokers and jewellers in Thiruvanmiyur, on Rajiv Gandhi Salai, East Coast Road and in adjoining areas closed shops and observed a bandh as mark of protest on Wednesday morning.
“We staged a demonstration in front of the police station demanding the release of our members. Senior police officials intervened and arranged their release. There was no FIR or petition against them… it was illegal detention. They were released on the third day from the police station,” he said.
Police deny charges
Assistant Commissioner of Police (Adyar) K.G. Narasima Varman said police detained a habitual offender Geethan (20), who was involved in many chain-snatching cases. Gold jewellery worth Rs. 50,000 was recovered from him.
“Based on credible information, we summoned the two pawn brokers for inquiry. There was no illegal detention or harassment. After the Association members offered to cooperate, we released the two persons on the condition that they would appear for inquiry if needed at a later stage,” he said.
