Muttur Magistrate reprimands Police irresponsible arrests
[TamilNet, Wednesday, 01 March 2006, 10:26 GMT]
Mr.Manickavasagar Ganesharajah, Muttur Magistrate instructed the Police to adhere to proper procedures while arresting and investigating suspects in cases. He admonished the police to not to harm and harass innocent civilians, and not to arrest suspects arbitrarily. The Magistrate made this remark Tuesday in open court when the Police submitted a report in a case stating that they did not recover any explosives from a suspect during the investigation. The Magistrate acting on the police report released the suspect from the case, legal sources said.
Soldiers of the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) recently arrested a Tamil civilian Mr.M.Pushpeswaran in Muttur on suspicion that he was in possession of a grenade and handed the suspect to the Police for further investigation. The Police in turn produced the suspect in court and got him remanded to conduct further inquiry, legal sources said. "Police produce suspects in court and want them to be remanded for conducting further investigations. Some months later the Police submit reports that they have not found any evidence against these suspects. Police officers appear not to know the basics of investigation procedure, and act irresponsibly. The Police should remember that their duty is to safeguard the civilians and not to harass them," Muttur Magistrate Mr.M.Ganesharajah further told the prosecuting police officer, legal sources said.
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