Q/ Do you think the Sathankulam case has been blown out of
proportion?
A/ I think every case of custodial torture and death should get this kind of attention. In this case, the father and son were middle-class businessmen who had no disputes with the police or anyone else. There are several other cases, which have not received attention. For instance, tribal people living outside the villages are picked up by the police when there is a minor issue… or after a protest. But we don’t get to know. At times, there are protests against such torture. Sometimes, we let it go and feel that it is justified. The brutality and the consequent actions show that this could happen to you and me, so (the Sathankulam deaths) struck a chord with a lot of people.
Q/ Do you think there is a growing sense of impunity among the police in south Tamil Nadu?
A/ I will not say that this happens just in Tamil Nadu and that the Tamil Nadu police is wrong. This is happening across the country, but Tamil Nadu is second in India when it comes to police excesses, according to data from the National Crime Records Bureau. The police have to be aggressive at some point, but they have to understand that they are not the ones to inflict punishment.
About the police in south Tamil Nadu, I will say that caste divisions in this region, particularly Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari, have been increasing because there are not many employment opportunities in this region. Despite getting a good education, the youth do not see an opportunity for a better life. This leads to caste clashes. To address this issue, [former chief minister] M. Karunanidhi appointed the Ratnavel Pandian Commission, which gave recommendations to bring down the caste clashes there. But successive governments did not take it forward.
Q/ The Sathankulam case has been handed over to the CBI. Many
people, however, say the CBCID probe was progressing well.
A/ I want the investigating agency and the government to make sure that justice is done to the family. When the CBCID inquiry began, it was monitored by the court and there was pressure from the people on authorities which helped get some kind of justice.
Q/ There are allegations that the ruling AIADMK is protecting the police and that the case was
transferred to the CBI only to save the accused policemen.
A/ The local minister from the Thoothukudi region spoke out in favour of the police and said it was not custodial death. There is strong suspicion that the ruling party is trying to help the police. But with the CBI taking over, I feel justice will be done.