CPI(M) to Protest Custodial Assault on Adivasi Youth in Poonjar

Kottayam: The CPI(M) has announced protests over the brutal custodial assault of an Adivasi youth by police. Abhilash, a resident of Poovathinkal House in Peringulam, Poonjar, was taken into custody and tortured by the Erattupetta police over accusations of stealing electrical wires.

Following the complaint, the police had stated that no assault had taken place. The CPI(M) said the investigation should not be entrusted to the local DySP and demanded that another officer be assigned the preliminary inquiry. The party also announced a protest march to the Erattupetta police station on Monday under the leadership of its Poonjar area committee.

Meanwhile, Abhilash’s family said they would pursue legal action. He had submitted a complaint to the Pala DySP on Saturday. Adivasi organisations have also lodged complaints with the State Human Rights Commission and the police chief. Abhilash and his family are preparing to submit a complaint to the Chief Minister as well.

Abhilash, who works as a contract employee with the KSEB, was detained by the police following a complaint filed by KSEB over the loss of electrical wires.

According to his family, police personnel arrived in an Innova car in plain clothes on Friday morning and took Abhilash into custody while he was asleep. They allegedly woke him up, pushed him into the courtyard and assaulted him. The police then attempted to force him into a private vehicle. When he asked for permission to put on his underwear, they refused and verbally abused him.

Family members alleged that police snatched the phones of neighbours who arrived at the scene to prevent them from recording videos. The police then allegedly dragged Abhilash away, put him in the vehicle and assaulted him during the journey. He was reportedly hit on the back of his head with an object.

The police released Abhilash in the evening in the presence of an SC promoter. He felt physical discomfort after leaving the station and was taken first to Pala Government General Hospital and later to Kottayam Medical College Hospital. His family said he suffered an epileptic seizure and lost consciousness while at the hospital.