Reporter’s diary: Head constable attacks labourer for not 'respecting' police, gets suspended

The incident happened on Saturday night when the victim, Muruganadham a resident of Ariyalur district, was speaking to his mother over the phone while sitting on a median within the market premises.

Head constable Suresh and a driver who crossed him in their patrol vehicle were angry that Muruganandham did not get down from the median as a sign of respect to them and abused him.

When Muruganandham retorted, they bashed him and tried to take him to the police station. But, as other labourers gathered to support of their fellow worker, Suresh allegedly left the premises abruptly. Other workers rushed Muruganandham to the hospital and staged a protest in the market.

Later, higher officials rushed to the spot and held talks with the workers. The protesters dispersed only after being assured that action would be taken against Suresh. On Saturday, he was suspended.

Even as there is an ongoing drive in Greater Chennai in which policemen are being told to be polite with the public and treat them with respect, the behaviour of such officers mar all the good work.