Kundankulam Incident – Statement by Human Rights Activist Johnson Pulluthi
Kundankulam: A shocking video has emerged showing police officers, acting like gangsters, brutally assaulting a fellow human being. This is a complete violation of human rights and must be viewed with utmost seriousness. It is essential that the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and the National Human Rights Commission intervene in this matter.
When police, who are entrusted with the responsibility of protecting the life and property of citizens, resort to such brutal assaults that even elected representatives are not safe, then surely the intervention of the Central Government becomes unavoidable.
Such police officers can only be described as goondas who commit atrocities at the expense of the government.
It was precisely to prevent such brutality that CCTV cameras were installed in police stations, following the direct experiences of respected political leaders. Yet, such cruel incidents from inside police stations have not come to light until now. Victims, out of fear, seldom dare to reveal these atrocities before the Honourable Courts.
This video stands as the strongest evidence that a police raj exists in the state. While even stray dogs are provided with maximum protection today, ordinary citizens are denied safety even within police stations.
A small criminal gang within the Kerala Police tarnishes the dignity of the majority of good officers in the force. These criminals thrive only because of the unchecked power of service organisations.
It is the excessive freedom enjoyed by service organisations that nurtures authoritarian tendencies and gangster-like behaviour among police and government employees. The time has long passed to keep service organisation leaders away from the corridors of governance.
If even a unit member of a youth organisation proudly shouts that “I belong to the ruling party,” then one can only imagine the behaviour of police officers with criminal backgrounds who have been stripped of basic humanity. That is exactly what has happened in Kundankulam Police Station. We can only wonder how many more such incidents of brutal assaults have gone unreported.
To end the atrocities committed by these rare but dangerous gangs within the police, an independent police regulatory system must be established – one that has no direct links with the police.
The Police Complaints Authority should be brought completely under the control of the District Collector, with 100% independence from the police.
I write this as a victim of illegal actions by the police. At Puthukkad Police Station, under the leadership of SI Siddique Abdul Khadar, two false cases were registered against me.
In the recently released video, one can clearly observe – from the body language of a police officer – that even after mercilessly beating a helpless man, his thirst for violence had not ended.
Today, it is impossible for an ordinary citizen to approach a police station with a complaint in peace. Only those with money and influence can freely walk in and out of any police station in Kerala. This is nothing but complete administrative failure.
As a human rights activist, I must remind the Honourable Chief Minister of Kerala: the reform you once began must be continued. You had openly declared that police officers with criminal backgrounds would be dismissed from service. That promise must be fulfilled now.
As both Chief Minister and Home Minister, you must immediately act against these police officers who have brought shame and disgrace to the entire force. They must be permanently dismissed from service to set an example.
What Kerala needs is not the service of police officers who take pride under the umbrella of service organisations, but law-abiding officers committed to maintaining peace and order as part of the government.
I hope the Honourable State Government will recognise the extreme seriousness of this matter and take strong corrective action.
It is an unfortunate reality that police often treat human rights activists – who work lawfully for society – with hostility and exclusion. By writing openly about such issues, I may once again be targeted and harassed. But no matter how much I am crucified, I will always stand for justice. I have suffered greatly in the past for fighting for what is right.
What Kerala truly deserves is a capable police force – one that was once a model for the entire nation. I salute the good officers within the police who uphold their dignity and service.
These words I dedicate to the Kerala Police, to the rulers, and to the people of this land.
– Human Rights Activist
Johnson Pulluthi
