Kerala SC/ST commission calls for report on police atrocities

Kayamkulam/Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala State SC/ST Commission on Sunday called for a report from the police regarding allegations that its officer illegally entered homes in a Dalit colony in Haripad area of Alappuzha district of the state and also made casteist remarks against some residents there.

The chairman of the commission, BS Mavoji, while speaking to termed the police action as "high-handed" and said a report has been called from the Alappuzha SP regarding the incident.

"I feel it was a high-handed approach of the police," he said.

He further said the commission on its own took up the issue based on news reports regarding the incident.

Mavoji also said residents of the colony called up the commission claiming that police carried out an illegal raid and made casteist remarks against people there.

The incident had occurred on the intervening night of June 4-5 post midnight.

According to the police, officers on routine patrol in the colony had noticed two persons standing beside a motorbike outside one of the homes and had questioned them as to why they were there late in the night.

While they were being questioned, other residents of the colony also came out and objected to the police questioning the duo, said an officer of Kareelakulangara police station, within whose jurisdiction the area falls.

The officer said with more people turning up, the situation escalated and the locals blocked the police jeep, removed its key and also assaulted the police officers.