10 Manamadurai policemen booked for ‘excesses’

Special Correspondent 
 
Ramanathapuram, June 16, 2018 00:00 IST

They allegedly assaulted a TNSTC bus crew

The Sivaganga district police have registered a first information report (FIR) against 10 police personnel attached to Manamadurai police station after the conductor of a Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) bus lodged a complaint alleging police excesses during a flash strike by TNSTC staff on Friday.

Police said K. Kirubarani, a woman constable, lodged a complaint against conductor Muruganandam and driver Senthilkumar, alleging that they abused her while she was travelling in a TNSTC bus from Sivaganga to Manamadurai on Thursday night. Manamadurai police took the duo into custody and allegedly assaulted them.

Mr. Muruganandam, in his complaint, said he and the driver were asleep at SIPCOT bus depot after a day’s work when 10 policemen from Manamadurai police station took them to the police station where they were stripped and beaten. They were made to remain at the police station in their undergarments.

On being told about their detention, the depot manager and other employees visited the police station and secured their release on Thursday night after holding talks with the police.

Later, they were admitted to Sivaganga Government Medical College hospital, police said.

On learning about the incident on Friday morning, TNSTC employees resorted to a flash strike, stopping buses enroute at various points, demanding action against the police personnel. They ended the strike after senior police officials intervened and assured them of action against them.

An FIR was filed against unnamed 10 police personnel under Sections 147 (rioting) and 323 (voluntarily causing hurt) of IPC.

Kirubarani, attached to the Thiruvadanai all women police station, in her complaint, had stated that the conductor demanded that she buy a ticket for travelling from Sivaganga to Manamadurai. After she purchased the ticket by paying Rs. 18, he abused her and accused the entire police personnel of travelling free in government buses.