Two policemen suspended for assaulting destitute man in Srirangam temple on the eve of President’s visit

A Special Sub-Inspector of Police and a Grade I Constable were placed under suspension after they allegedly assaulted and evicted an elderly destitute man from the Sri Ranganathaswamy temple precincts at Srirangam on Tuesday. A clip of the incident went viral on the social media.

Police sources said instructions were given to police to evict destitutes and beggars from the sprawling temple complex and its vicinity to an orphanage for security reasons in view of the visit of President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday evening.

The sources said the Special Sub-Inspector and the constable attempted to evict a destitute in one of the mandapams inside the temple complex. The destitute is said to have resisted and allegedly rebuked the two police personnel.

As the Special Sub-Inspector tried to remove the destitute the latter is alleged to have kicked him. The two men in uniform then allegedly assaulted the destitute and evicted him from the temple complex, said police sources.

The two police personnel were placed under suspension on the order of the Commissioner of Police, Tiruchi. Security is being tightened inside the temple and at other places in the temple town ahead of the visit of the President with barricades being installed at various places.