A woman who was slapped by a police officer while protesting against the relocation of a Tasmac shop at Samalapuram in Tirupur has complained of hearing loss.
The incident took place on Tuesday when the police resorted to a lathicharge against scores of protesters. Soon after, social media was abuzz with videos and images of alleged police excess against the protesters, the most notable being footage of an Additional Deputy Superintendent of Police (ADSP) slapping the woman.
The police action has drawn condemnation from political leaders cutting across party lines.
AIADMK (Puratchi Thalaivi Amma) leader O. Panneerselvam condemned the police action and called for appropriate action to be taken against the officials involved.
He also blamed the current administration for the violence, adding that the police action had induced fear in the minds of the people, especially women.
‘Withdraw cases’
The CPI (M) also condemned the police action. In a statement, party state secretary G. Ramakrishnan called for the withdrawal of the cases filed against the protesters besides their release from police custody.
Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) president Su. Thirunavukkarasar condemned the alleged assault on the woman and called for disciplinary action against the official involved. He also demanded the withdrawal of cases against, and the release of, those in police custody.
Call for apology
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state president Tamilisai Soundararajan said that ADSP Pandiarajan, who allegedly slapped the woman protester, should publicly apologise, and that the government machinery should bear the expenses for the victim’s treatment.
“Besides, departmental action should be initiated against the police official,” she added.
She also said that henceforth, the BJP would fight moves to relocate liquor outlets situated along the highways to other places across the State.
In a statement, DMDK leader Vijayakant said that the attack on peaceful protesters by the police was uncalled for and condemnable.
“Men were lathicharged by the police and women were also attacked brutally. Seeing all these videos on television, one wonders whether we are living in a democratic country. Though people still respect the police uniform, the police shouldn’t push the people to militate against them,” he said.
While the salaries of police personnel were being paid using taxpayers’ money, it was unfortunate that the department was behaving like the ruling party’s henchmen, Mr. Vijayakant said.
Demanding disciplinary action, the DMDK leader said, “The DGP must institute disciplinary action, failing which the DMDK will protest against the police.”
