New Delhi: Hyderabad City Police are facing intense scrutiny and backlash following allegations of excessive force in the Old City. While efforts to control crime are typically supported, many netizens are condemning the police for actions that allegedly demean the dignity of poor youth and target specific communities.Viral videos fuel controversyA video showing Inspector Durga Prasad from Moghalpura Police Station aggressively lathi-charging residents late at night has gone viral on social media. This follows another widely circulated video where a police officer proclaimed, No more friendly police. Only lathi-charge police. These incidents have fueled accusations that the police are enforcing an undeclared curfew in minority and low-income neighborhoods.Inspector Durga Prasad of Moghalpura Police Station ruthlessly lathi-charged the general public for standing outside their houses or in public places late at night. pic.twitter.com/S2oPJah7fU— Naseer Giyas (@NaseerGiyas) July 16, 2024People recall Covid-19 like restrictionsResidents recall similar incidents of police brutality during the COVID-19 lockdown and recent riots. The Chabutra Mission, an initiative where youth standing near their homes or roaming late at night were detained, is another point of contention. Although these youths were released after counseling, the entire process was filmed and publicly disseminated, causing embarrassment and stigma.Targeted operationsCritics argue that the polices Cordon and Search operations disproportionately target small bastis and slum areas. These operations often involve entering homes without permission, raising concerns about privacy and legality. Questions have been raised about why such aggressive measures are not applied in affluent areas like Banjara Hills or Jubilee Hills.Netziens reactThe perceived disparity in police actions between affluent neighborhoods and minority-concentrated areas has sparked significant concern. Many believe these actions reflect a bias that undermines community trust in law enforcement. While controlling crime is essential, netizens emphasize that it should not come at the cost of dignity and fairness.
