SMC Vs Police: Mayor to write to PM against cops beating sanitation workers

Srinagar: Srinagar Mayor Junaid Azim Mattu has sought the intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi after police allegedly manhandled the Srinagar Municipality Corporation (SMC) workers in the old city.

The Mayor shared a video on his Twitter handle in which police is seen beating two SMC sanitation workers somewhere in the old city.

“Are you talking about the municipality? Will beat you so much that municipality will come and pick you up,” a cop can be heard telling one of the sanitation workers.

Another policeman is also seen beating a youth while he tries to get into the car.

Mattu said that he has received multiple complaints of sanitation workers being beaten by police in Srinagar city.

“After multiple instances of sanitation workers being brutally beaten up by policemen in Srinagar, I again brought the matter into the notice of SSP Srinagar yesterday along with the video where SMC employees are being singled out, thrashed, abused as if for the entertainment,” he tweeted.

The Mayor said that he will write to Prime Minister and Chief Secretary demanding appropriate action against these cops.

“The sense of dignity of our sanitation workers –our corona warriors– needs to be restored and upheld in Srinagar. Their harassment and humiliation are unacceptable,” Mattu said.

Mayor alleged that the cops had threatened him for not speaking about the issue. “I appreciate the role played by the police, doctors, Srinagar administration, departments, and various agencies. But I can’t be a mute spectator to the police brutalizing sanitation workers for entertainment,” he said.

Mattu said the SMC has been at the forefront in the battle against Coronavirus.

“5000 of our workers work relentlessly every single day, risking their health and safety for the people. They don’t deserve abuses and humiliation,” he said.

Senior Superintendent of Police, Srinagar Haseeb Mughal said they are looking into the issue.

“I have not received any complaint. The SMC Mayor telephonically told me about the incident and a senior official is looking into it,” he said.

Mughal said these SMC workers had passed through Red Zone and were asked to show their passes. “They had refused and resulted in an altercation,” Mughal added.