'Four Kerala policemen beat up my NRI brother, fractured his cheekbone'

A non-resident Indian Usman, who had returned to his native state Kerala for the Ramadan holidays, was brutally beaten up by four policemen and ended up in hospital with a fractured cheekbone, his brother said on Wednesday.

A case has been registered against the four policemen.

Usman's brother Siddiq told the media here that his brother had gone out to buy food on Tuesday evening to end the fast when the scooter Usman was riding was hit by a car.

"He stopped and questioned the four car occupants, who beat him up. It was later revealed that they were policemen. They took Usman to a police station here and beat him black and blue. He is in hospital with a fractured cheekbone," Siddiq said.

An eyewitness said the incident occurred around 5.30 p.m. on Tuesday.

"When I came out of my shop, I saw Usman being beaten up. I went out and asked the four persons -- who looked more like thugs -- what had happened but they did not say anything and continued to beat him," the eyewitness claimed.

On Wednesday morning, angry youths from the locality took out a protest march to the police station where Usman was beaten up.

Superintendent of Police Rahul R. Nair told the media that he will look into the matter and assured of appropriate action after the probe.

"... Usman has injuries on his face and spine, besides problem with sight in one eye. Usman was brutally beaten up for no fault of his. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has been an abject failure in reigning in the police, as some atrocities by police on innocent people is reported every day," Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala said.

He said the issue will be raised in the Assembly on Thursday.

--IANS

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