Mayor alleges police brutality in Vattiyoorkavu

T'puram: Mayor V V Rajesh alleged repeated police excesses against BJP councillors and workers in Vattiyoorkavu and announced plans to approach National Commission for Scheduled Castes, seeking action against the local police leadership.

Addressing a news conference, the mayor demanded strict action against Vattiyoorkavu circle inspector Vipin, accusing him of deliberately targeting BJP workers and creating unrest. He claimed that despite the FIR in a recent clash at Malamukal stating that CPM workers pelted stones at the police, officers were selectively acting against BJP members.

Rajesh alleged that a BJP worker and temple committee secretary, Binu, was seriously injured after being struck on the face with a wireless set by a police officer identified as Deepu Pillai. He further claimed that another worker, Sujith, who belongs to the SC community, sustained a head injury requiring 12 stitches after being assaulted by the CI.

The mayor also raised serious concerns over police handling of a recent protest march by women councillors. He alleged that water cannons were used with contaminated water, posing a risk of infection, and questioned who authorised such action. Despite prior information about the women-led protest, only a handful of women police personnel were deployed, Rajesh said, adding that male officers allegedly manhandled women protesters.

In a particularly serious allegation, Rajesh claimed that a police officer named Noufal bit a woman activist during the protest, while another officer, Rajesh, was involved in a brutal assault. He demanded strict action against both officers.

The mayor further alleged that since the election campaign period, there have been attempts under the leadership of the CI to obstruct BJP activities in a one-sided manner. He also accused the officer of publicly insulting and intimidating a councillor on polling day, with such actions continuing even after the elections.

Stating that the party would challenge the alleged police excesses both legally and politically, Rajesh strongly condemned what he described as a ‘brutal attack' on women councillors.

Deputy mayor Asha Nath and standing committee chairpersons Sathyavathi V and Manju G S were also present at the news conference.