Thursday, March 18, 2010

Police in the dock

Recent incidents spark allegation against law enforcers

Illegal money-lending thrives in parts of Kerala – some say, with the ‘help’ of local police. Reports have surfaced that some cops have been directly involved in this illegal business. They preyed on disadvantaged farmers by giving them money on high interest. When the villagers failed to pay the money, then the ‘blade gangs’ (the local mafia) confiscate their land, house and properties.

At least twice in the past, distraught farmers have committed suicides because of the fear of the ‘blade mafia’. The gangs and the so called ‘quotation teams’ (the nick name of hired ‘goondas’ who commit various atrocities to bring back the loan) have been alleged to be hand in glove with certain policemen. This has been confirmed by internal reports of the state home department. Some cops have even been accused of running money-lending business directly and indirectly, and this despite directives from higher authorities to end the illegal practice. Two recent incidents in two districts have generated a heated debate in the state.

In one such case, family members of K. Ravindran (60) of Otanthuruth at Thuravur of Alappuzha district in Kerala has accused a policeman for pressurising him to commit suicide on February 26, 2010. A suicide note left by the betel vendor mentions that police head constable M. Vijayappan of Kuthiyathodu police station is responsible for his death. The story in a nutshell: The poor farmer Ravindran had taken some money from Vijayappan. And when he couldn’t pay back the principal amount, the head constable is alleged to have repeatedly abused and warned Ravindran’s wife Rama on the issue. According to the suicide note, the cop threatened to attack Rama’s daughter if Rama failed to pay back the money. It was after this that Ravindran committed suicide. The case didn’t go unnoticed.
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Source :
IIPM Editorial, 2009


An IIPM and Professor Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist) Initiative

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