THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Ignoring the stern warnings from the Chief Minister against using third-degree methods, the police in the state are beating up common people with impunity. The latest incident is the beating of an army soldier and his brother by accusing them of attacking the police. Ironically, this incident occurred just a week after the DGP reminded the officers that the police must be known for their service to the people.

The police officers are using the places in the police station, where security cameras are not there, as torture rooms.

In addition to third-degree torture, the police are beating up children and attacking women. Complaints against police are on the rise. Rogue police officers who use abusive language, physical abuse, and ‘settlement’ of cases are roaming freely in the state. The maximum punishment for using third-degree torture is three months suspension. After that, the police officer can return to service.

The departmental investigation will continue at a snail's pace. Mostly those officers who are about to retire will investigate the case. After retirement, another police officer might continue the investigation. A departmental investigation against an SI will take fifteen years to complete. By that time, he might have been promoted to Dy.SP. When he is about to retire, he will be given a clean chit.

An erring police officer will attract departmental action only if he is not in the good books of the ruling party. There are some investigations that extend even after the officer retires. If he is found guilty the ‘strongest’ punishment is a cut in his pension of Rs.250.

At the Thiruvallam police station, the practice is as follows – lathi blows just when the person gets into the police jeep, beatings in front of the police station and inside it, blow to the back of the body after bending the person down, kicking with boots if he falls down, 101 squats, 50 frog jumps, 50 pushups, and 50 jumps saying Inquilab Zindabad.