Former Mutur OIC files FR case against Deputy Minister Baiz

By Susitha R. Fernando
Former Mutur OIC filed a fundamental rights application complaining of an inhuman assault on him and tearing of his uniform by Deputy Minister K. A. Baiz in the presence of senior police officers on the day of the Eastern Provincial Council. He was also subsequently transferred arbitrarily.

The petitioner Aliyar Abdul Wahid former Mutur OIC filed this case yesterday citing Inspector General of Police, DIG Eastern Province, Superintendent of Police, Vas Gunawardena, ASP Mutur, P. Navagamuwa, Deputy Minister of Livestock and Development, K. A. Baiz and the chairman and the members of the National Police Commission as respondents.

Abdul Wahid stated that he has 18 years of unblemished record in the police service and in his last posting he was serving as the OIC Mutur prior to the last Provincial Council Election, on May 7 Deputy Minister Baiz along with STF squad and back up vehicles came to his station and abused him in filth alleging that he was an SLMC supporter. At this stage the petitioner called the ASP Mutur, P. Navagamuwa. Baiz had said that he had been assigned to ensure a United People’s Freedom Alliance victory in Mutur and that he was expecting cooperation from the police. The Deputy Minister has stated that President Mahinda Rajapaksa would cut his neck if he (Baiz) and his people did not work for the government. Otherwise he had to cut the neck of theASP Mutur.

The petitioner said that this entire scene was videoed by one of the police officers using his mobile phone and he would produce it in court.

Following this ASP Mutur, P. Navagamuwa was transferred and on the day of the election on May 10, SP Vas Gunawardena suddenly came to his police station and started giving instructions. The petitioner said he was prevented from taking calls and this continued until the election was over. As soon as the SP left, petitioner Abdul Wahid had rush to the Jetty to take charge of the safe passage of ballot boxes from 45 polling stations to Trincomalee.

While he was there through a radio message he was ordered to go to former Mutur Pradeshiya Sabha chairman’s house as there was an incident. When he went there he noticed that SP Vas Gunawardena was also there and that the house was ransacked and Deputy Minister Baiz came out from it with a team of STF and a number of armed men in civvies. There the Deputy Minister has started to abuse him in filth and started to assault him inhumanly. The Deputy Minister had hit him on his head, chest and abdomen along with several pistol butts and his uniform was torn into pieces in the presence of large number of police officers and the public.

Having waited till the Deputy Minster left, SP Vas Gunawardena has assured him to take action against the assault. Later he was admitted to Mutur Base hospital.

Following this incident he was transferred to Trincomalee head Quarters and he complained that this was done to protect Deputy Minister Baiz, the petitioner complained.

He stated that his fundamental rights was violated by the inhuman assault in the presence of a large number of senior police officers and the alleged arbitrary transfer. He asked court to issue an interim order staying the transfer and proper action be taken in respect of the assault on him.