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Thursday, Feb 05, 2009
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Outrageous

The news of two policemen beating up a six-year-old Dalit girl for allegedly stealing money from a woman in Etawah, Uttar Pradesh, was shocking. Worse, six policemen stood watching. The brutal act speaks volumes about the utter disregard of police for human values and their predilection for the use of force. Could the two policemen think of no other way to interrogate the child? Although action has been taken against them, one wonders why the others have been let off. Was it not their duty to protect the child from their colleagues? Are they not equally responsible for what happened? Such incidents remain etched in people’s memory and tarnish the image of the police.

Mukesh Manglani,

New Delhi

* * *

The police action against a six-year-old Dalit girl was a shocking display of brutality. The barbaric attitude of the police towards the downtrodden and the subservient attitude towards the elite can hardly be described as insensitivity. It is inhuman. Under the law, the police cannot take action against a child who commits a crime. Any decision on him or her can be taken only after he or she is produced in court in consultation with the Juvenile Justice Board.

The police need to be made aware of their responsibilities towards society. They do not seem to think they are meant to serve the people; they are obsessed with power. A dedicated task force should be created to deal with children.

T. Marx,

Puducherry

* * *

The beating up of the six-year-old by two policemen was a dehumanised and vile act. It reinforces the dismal law and order situation in Uttar Pradesh. The most unfortunate thing about the ugly episode was that six policemen looked on while the child was being thrashed.

Manjunath R. Goudar,

Dharwad

* * *

That the law-enforcers used their might against a child who could not even express herself properly was appalling. The law clearly lays down the procedure on dealing with juvenile delinquents. But it is hardly followed. Again, the media’s role left much to be desired. Rather than making efforts to stop the brutality, they covered the incident in detail capitalising on the child’s helplessness.

Syed Khaja,

New Delhi

* * *

I was shocked to see the TV image of a hapless child being beaten up by policemen. All of us know how much a six-year-old can think. She would not even have understood what the policemen were asking her. Even if she stole the money, as alleged, the police had no business treating her in the manner they did.

The policemen involved in the outrage should not be let off with a suspension or dismissal from service. They should be given stringent punishment that will serve as a warning to others who have a tendency to use force against children.

S. Rajesh,

Dubai

* * *

By beating up the child and pulling her hair and ears, the police actually used third-degree methods against her. The authorities should view the incident seriously and issue strict guidelines to the police on how to behave with minors.

Ganesh V. Hegde,

Dharwad

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