New Delhi: A 47-year-old man died allegedly after being beaten by the police at the Pappanaickenpatti check post under the Yethapur police station limits in Tamil Nadu’s Salem district on Tuesday evening, reported the New Indian Express.The man died at the Salem government hospital, where he was taken for treatment after being thrashed by the police, on Wednesday morning. The Salem police have since registered a case against a special sub-inspector of police Periyasamy and arrested him.The victim, Murugesan, was a farmer and a resident of Edapatti near Yethapur in Salem and also ran a shop. He had gone to Kallakurichi by bike on Tuesday along with his friends and consumed liquor. His vehicle was stopped by the police at the Pappanaickenpatti check post while he was in an inebriated state. He then entered into a quarrel with the police despite his friends’ attempts to stop him.During the altercation, special sub inspector Periyasamy attacked Murugesan, following which he fainted and fell down on the road after sustaining injuries to his head. Murugesan’s friends then took him to the Thumbal Primary Health Centre, where he was provided first aid and then shifted to the Attur government hospital. After his condition worsened, he was referred to Salem Government Hospital.Also read: Justice for Jayaraj and Bennix Means Ending a Culture of ImpunityMurugesan’s friend had recorded the police attack on his phone and subsequently uploaded it on social media following which it went viral. In the video clip, Murugesan’s friends can be seen trying to plead with the policemen to stop hitting him. Murugesan is also heard saying “please stop beating me, leave me,” in the video. The policeman stopped beating Murugesan only after he fell unconscious, as per the video.The district Superintendent of Police (SP) of Salem M. Sree Abhinav has said that a criminal case has been registered against Periyasamy and that he had been arrested.After news of Murugesan’s death spread, several locals arrived at the Yethapur police station and demanded that action be taken against the officers involved.Murugesan is survived by his wife, two sons and a daughter. His wife has since demanded strict action against all the police officers responsible for Murugesan’s death.The incident comes nearly a year after the deaths of trader Jayaraj and his son Bennix in Sathankulam of Tamil Nadu’s Tuticorin district triggered a widespread outcry over police brutality.
