There has been a fear in me, thinking of all the Indians in this country, who do things collectively to improve the socio-economic conditions of their brothers and sisters and end up in Police custody. This has happened from the day Hindraf started their rally and it will get worse if the Indian community votes against Barisan Nasional. Every small incident the Indians group together they will be accused of going against the Government, and face the Police wrath.
Most of the Indians are ordinary law abiding citizens and the arrests and detention does not speak well of how they are treated. For 50 years they have been docile, voting Barisan, and hoping life will go on. The crunch came when temples were being destroyed, and Hindraf which has been in the background trying to remedy the ill treatment was forced to come out in the open. In a way the Bersih rally just 2 weeks earlier, gave them the impetus.
I am afraid the Indians in the future are going to be blamed for every travesty, and can expect no mercy from the Government. The Indians want to join in the development of the country by doing their part as has been done till now.
I am too insignificant to suggest something though ideas are there. Possibly some leaders in the legal fraternity, who can be there when the situation becomes unbearable. Maybe this is a pipe dream. Then the old adage prevention is better than cure comes to my mind. May be my fears are a fantasy. If it is so good, but what happens the opposite happens. What I have in mind is nothing great, where do I turn to as an ordinary Indian if I am confronted with a situation confronted by the Penang Indians. IS THERE HOPE.
Devotees mull legal action over unlawful detention
Athi Veeranggan | Feb 21, 08 2:38pm
Hindu devotees from Penang are mulling legal action against the police for allegedly detaining them for almost eight hours at the Kuala Lumpur police training centre (Pulapol) last Saturday.
Their lawyer SN Rayer said the unlawful detention – which took place when the KL police were taking steps to prohibit people from taking part in the Hindraf’s rose protest – was a violation of basic human rights and blatant abuse of power.
“We demand immediate investigation and action by the police. Otherwise, we would file a legal suit for criminal damages,” he told Malaysiakini after accompanying his clients to lodge police report on the unlawful detention in Jalan Patani police station in Georgetown on Tuesday.
A complainant, SK Jothi, 33, from Bayan Baru said she and 35 other passengers, all Hindu devotes, were travelling in a tour bus during an overnight trip from Penang to visit a temple in Kuala Lumpur when the police stopped the coach in Selayang, just outside the Kuala Lumpur city centre.
The police then seized their identity cards and re-directed them to Pulapol in Kuala Lumpur.
“We were detained together with about 300 people between 8.30am and 4.30pm at Pulapol for questioning and our luggage was searched.
“We were disallowed to have legal representation and were forced to undergo urine test.
“Men and women were forced to share the same unhygienic toilet facilities at the place,” she told Malaysiakini.
Another complainant, K Palanitharan, 32, said several elderly women fainted while being forced to wait under the hot sun during their eight-hour ordeal.
Sharing unhygienic toilets
Policemen even refused to supply drinking water to the detainees when requested, he added.
”We were not told the reasons for our unlawful detention and were told to go back to Penang immediately after eight hours,” he said.
It is learnt the police have detained these devotees together with hundred others passengers and questioned on their participation in the “Rose Campaign” organized by the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) last Saturday morning.
Rayer said the police owe a public explanation on the reasons behind the unlawful detention of his clients and others as well.
“No drugs or weapons were found, they were disallowed to have their lawyers present.
“They were forced to share unhygienic toilets and undergo urine tests.
“Surely the police need to probe and reveal its findings,” he said.
When contacted, Georgetown deputy OCPD Supt Mohd Soaihami Rahim said the city police would refer the case to relevant police departments to probe.
“It happened in Selayang and Pulapol, therefore the case would be referred to police departments there,” he said.
Devotees mull legal action over unlawful detention
It was 
