Two injured in midnight police chase near Thottappally; families seek inquiry

AMBALAPPUZHA: Two youths were hospitalised with severe injuries on Saturday night following a controversial police pursuit near the Thottappally Spillway Bridge. The incident has sparked a standoff between the victims' families, who allege a deliberate hit-and-run by law enforcement, and the police, who claim the bikers caused the accident while evading a stop.

The injured have been identified as Aashiq (19), son of Shaji and Jaseela, and his neighbour Shinaz (20), son of Nawaz. Both residents of Vandanam, the duo was returning home after selling ice cream at a temple festival in Haripad when the encounter occurred on the national highway.

According to reports, Ambalappuzha police were on high alert for suspects involved in a brutal assault case from the previous day. Suspecting the bikers were the individuals involved, officers signalled for them to stop near Thottappally.

Conflicting Accounts

The incident has resulted in two vastly different versions of events:

The Victims’ Version:

• The Collision: Relatives allege that when the youths failed to stop immediately, the police jeep chased them and deliberately struck the side of the bike, knocking them down.
• Police Negligence: It is further alleged that the officers physically assaulted and threatened the injured youths before leaving the scene without offering medical assistance.
• Hospital Pressure: Shinaz’s family claimed he was prematurely discharged from the hospital due to undue pressure exerted by the police.

The Police Version:

• Reckless Driving: The Ambalappuzha DySP denied the allegations, stating the bikers were using a mobile phone while riding and ignored signals to pull over.
• The Crash: Police maintain that the bike lost control, hit the road divider, and subsequently collided with the police jeep.
• Refusal of Aid: Officials claim they attempted to transport the injured youths to the hospital in the police vehicle, but the duo refused the assistance.

Current status

Both Aashiq and Shinaz suffered broken legs and were admitted to the Alappuzha Medical College Hospital.

Refuting the police claims, the families of the injured have announced their intention to file a formal complaint with the Director General of Police (DGP) against the Ambalappuzha police to seek a high-level inquiry into the "hit-and-run" allegations and subsequent manhandling.