Five police personnel, including two Inspectors of Police were suspended for neglecting a complaint lodged by a woman petitioner in Devakottai.

Police said that the woman, who had visited the Devakottai Town Police Station on May 18 and preferred a complaint of sexual harassment charge against an auto driver in the vicinity, the police had reportedly asked her to go to the All Woman Police Station (AWPS).

When she went there, the AWPS personnel had directed her to go to another station citing jurisdictional issues. Annoyed, the woman is understood to have sent her petition to the Inspector General of Police (south zone) in Madurai.

On receipt, the IGP Vijayendra Bidari had directed the officers in Sivaganga district to verify the complaint. After it was found to be true, he had issued orders to suspend the personnel for dereliction of duty and among others, police said.

The police registered a case and arrested the auto driver identified as Thangasami alias Madhavan on charges of sexual harassment. Further investigation was on.

Suspended

Meanwhile, the Sivaganga district police said that they have suspended Inspectors Durairaj and Seethalakshmi, Woman Sub-Inspectors Jaya and Rajeswari and police constable Santhanam.

A senior officer said that the new government had formed ‘Singapen’ force exclusively for protection of women and to prevent crimes against women. The government had already shut Tasmac liquor shops located close to educational institutions and shrines. Thus, the police had to be vigil and be pro-active. Such negligence would not be tolerated at all, he summed up.