Who is to blame — the thief for his act, the mob for almost lynching him or the policemen for their brutality? There is no place for such barbarity in a civilised society. As video clippings of the incident are available, the authorities should act against everyone who was part of this barbaric exercise.

N. Nagesh,

Chennai

The incident was no less barbaric than public execution in many countries. The mob was primarily to blame for the violence; the police added to it. The incident might not have been so shocking but for the policemen’s involvement.

Ravindra Babu,

Chennai

One can understand the sudden surge of mob fury against a chain-snatcher. But policemen flouting the law so openly, callously, and shamelessly is grotesque.

There is a strong case to make our policemen professionals so that they do not swing between sycophancy and barbarism.

T.M. Premachandran,

Madurai