The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : Shameful act

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Thursday, Aug 30, 2007
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Shameful act

The atrocities and indignities heaped on a youth caught snatching a gold chain in Bhagalpur district of Bihar on Tuesday are shocking beyond words. That the petty crime should provoke such barbarity on the part of the police as well as the public is cruelly ironic in that perpetrators of inhuman crimes manage to evade the police dragnet and high-profile criminals enjoy immunity. The NHRC has done well to take suo motu action in the case. The State government should take prompt and exemplary action in the case.

N.K. Vijayan,

Kizhakkambalam

The incident wherein Mohammed Aurangazeb alias Salim, caught in the act of stealing, was beaten with leather belts, iron rods, and stones by a mob and was later tied to a policeman’s motorcycle and dragged for well over 100 metres, makes one wonder whether we are living in a civilised land. Of course, the punishment for thieves has to be stern, but not barbaric.

N. Radhakrishnan,

Chennai

An act of national shame that was witnessed all over the country thanks to television. The question now is: who is the more serious offender? Salim or his attackers?

S. Jamal Ahmad,

Patna

Barbaric acts such as gouging out the eyes of prisoners, parading woman naked in the street, etc., are not unknown in Bihar. How can anyone act so cruelly against another person, even if he is a thief?

V.E. Venkataramani,

Bangalore

The incident has once again proved that jungle raj prevails in Bihar. Our country’s public image must surely have fallen to a shameful low. No amount of explanation can justify this act of inhuman social arrogance, which should be condemned by all.

Nicholas Francis,

Madurai

The incident is an indication of civil society’s complete lack of trust in the law and order machinery and respect for human rights.

Udaya S. Mishra,

Thiruvananthapuram

The front-page photograph of Salim, his hands tied behind his back, lying on the ground after being assaulted by the public as well as the police in The Hindu (August 28) is sure to make any civilised person hang his head in s hame. One often wonders why the men in uniform, who are supposed to administer the law, seem pretty content breaking it.

Barun Kumar Mahapatro,

Berhampur

It is decidedly an affront to society. The policemen concerned deserve deterrent punishment.

The lawlessness in Bihar portends a danger to human rights and the rule of law.

K.S.Thampi,

Chennai

The authorities should take up the matter seriously and ensure that human rights are not violated. They should also focus on eliminating poverty and unemployment — probably, the reasons behind Salim taking to crime.

B.S. Selvakumar,

Vellore

An inhuman act that violates basic human rights. The policemen and the members of the public who led the mob should be identified and severely punished. Law enforcement officials should not, under any circumstances, resort to such behaviour.

S. Xavier,

Tiruchi

A thief should no doubt be punished but not in this inhuman fashion. There are laws to deal with every crime in our country. The policemen and the members of the public behind the attack should be booked immediately. Equally responsible are the bystanders who simply witnessed the whole shameful episode.

T. Marx,

Karaikal

A more shocking, barbaric, uncivilised, senseless act cannot be thought of. All human rights organisations should raise their voice against it

A. Jainulabdeen,

Chennai

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