Punjab policemen caught on camera beating a woman suspended

05 March, 2013

If women are thinking that post Delhi gang rape, anything is going to change then they should think again. New incidents are coming to light each day in different parts of India and it seems that women are becoming unsafe by the minute. Rapes, harassments and politicians blaming women are the order of the day and now even policemen, who are supposedly the saviours are turning violent. The most recent case in this context is the Taran Taran incident, where a number of policemen were seen publicly beating a hapless women.

Around five-six policemen intervened when two people were retaliating against the harassment of a truck driver and arguing with him. Asking what the matter was, these men in uniform started siding with the accused party. When the girl in question stepped in, she was not spared and was handled roughly by more than one policeman. Initially, the whole incident was denied by the police but after a video surfaced in the Internet, authorities in Punjab had to suspend the policemen involved.

Daljit Singh Cheema, the spokesperson for Shiromani Akali Dal told ANI, “The Punjab government has taken it very seriously. The home minister has taken it very seriously and enquiry by the SP is being conducted. The policemen, who were responsible, have been suspended and as soon as the report comes, punishment would be given to the guilty.” Mamta Sharma condemned the whole incident and promised to take action.

The Congress party, which is the main opposition in Punjab, alleged that the police department has been completely politicized and that the policing has taken a back seat. Pratap Singh Bajwa, Congress leader said, “The Punjab police, which was one of the best police forces at one time, has turned totally political. The chain of command has been broken and unfortunately the very role of policing has taken a back seat.”

While, this incident amazes many of us living in the more democratic part of India but for people living in these regions, it is quite ordinary as incidents like these happen all the time.