By Safrah Fazal
During the inquiry into two female cops being manhandled by a senior police officer during a protest earlier this month, 1,200 female police officers had reportedly stated “in one voice” that such occurrences are common in their line of work and not a cause for concern, highly-placed sources told The Morning.
Sources stated that, as part of the inquiry, virtual conferences were held via Zoom with nearly 1,200 female police officers, approximately two days after the launch of the inquiry.
“All the female police officers and constables who had joined via Zoom had said in one voice that this was a simple matter, and that in the Police, such things happen on a daily basis. If you are part of the Police, Army, Navy, or Air Force, during such a situation, so many things could happen; you are likely to get pushed around,” they said.
Sources also noted that the two female police officers in question had stated that Panadura South Police Station Headquarter Inspector and Chief Inspector of Police (CI) Chamindra Pinto had only behaved in such a manner because they had not performed the duty expected of them.
“The two female officers had said that what happened was completely acceptable. They had also said that they should have moved forward and taken the two protestors (to the police jeep), and that the other officer had pushed them because they did not do so.”
When The Morning observed that many have raised their voices against this incident, the source emphasised: “A lot of people are raising their voices against this stating that this is inhumane, but every single officer at the virtual meeting said that this was not a major issue and that it is a normal occurrence.”
When The Morning also queried if the female officers could have been intimidated into agreeing that they were not concerned with the matter, the source asserted that such was not possible, as over 1,000 officers could not have been thus coerced.
The source also hinted that the inquiry may not continue further, as no complaints had been filed.
“The special investigation unit (SIU) commenced the probe, but there hasn’t been a single complaint. Even the two officers (who were reportedly manhandled) are saying that this is absolutely okay. So there is no case.”
When The Morning contacted Police Media Spokesman Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) and Attorney-at-Law Nihal Thalduwa to inquire into the status of the probe, he noted that the inquiry was still underway, and added: “In general, if the complainant doesn’t come forward and provide any evidence and says that they don’t want an inquiry into this, then the inquiry will not proceed. But even in such an instance, if the Police decide that there has been some wrongdoing, the inquiry can still continue, even if the complainant does not come forward.
“However, I cannot comment on this specific incident of the two female officers, as I was informed that the inquiry is still underway. The findings of the inquiry will be conveyed to the Inspector General of Police (IGP).”
IGP Chandana D. Wickramaratne ordered the Police SIU to inquire into whether CI Pinto, who had been captured on video being physically rough with two junior female police officers during a protest march on Saturday (12), acted in a manner that was disrespectful and inappropriate towards the female police officers.
Video footage showed CI Pinto grabbing the two female police officers by the scruff of their necks, shortly after he was seen manhandling two female protestors who were engaged in a peaceful protest march from Kalutara to Panadura in calling for an end to the detention of Inter-University Students’ Federation Convenor Wasantha Mudalige and Inter-University Bhikkhus’ Federation Convenor Ven. Galwewa Siridhamma Thera under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act (PTA). The incident sparked outrage from politicians, lawyers, activists, and the general public.
(the morning)