6 cops indicted for OU violence

The Crime Investigation Department that probed the alleged police excesses on journalists and students in the Osmania University campus during the recent pro-Telangana agitation, has found fault with six police officers, including an assistant commissioner of police.

The state government had ordered the CID probe following all-round condemnation of the brutal way in which the police unleashed violence on the agitating students and the journalists covering the developments.

Vehicles and cameras were damaged in the attack. A policeman was in fact caught on camera setting a two-wheeler on fire and later urinating on it.

Sources said the CID team headed by additional director-general of police, Mr A. Sivanarayana, had blamed the Kacheguda assistant commissioner of police, Mr K. Ramachandran, the OU inspector, Mr B. Anjaiah, and four other low-ranking personnel for the violence.

The CID, however, let off senior police officials of DIG and SP rank, who were in full control of the situation that day and has put the whole blame on the lower rung personnel.

In its report, the CID also highlighted lack of coordination between the state police and paramilitary forces that were in action on the OU campus.

Mr Ramachandran was not available for comment, while Mr Anjaiah merely said, “As the station house officer, I was on the spot that day.”

The home minister, Ms P. Sabita Indra Reddy, said she had not yet gone through the report. “Based on the directions from the government, action will be taken against those found guilty,” said the director general of police, Mr R.R. Girish Kumar, who refused to divulge more details of the report.

The Press Council of India had appointed a three-member committee to probe the police excesses on mediapersons. This committee will also publish its report on Wednesday.