Time has come for Tamil Nadu police to put an end to the habit of physically torturing suspects to get confession. Instead, the police should undergo a systematic change for adopting scientific way of investigation, according to Congress MP B. Manickam Tagore.

Talking to reporters here on Thursday, the Virudhunagar MP condemned the fatal attack on temple security personnel Ajithkumar of Tiruppuvanam by a team of police.

“It is an inhumane act and highly condemnable. However, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has quickly reacted by taking appropriate action,” he said.

Stating that gone were the days when the police could use third-degree treatment on suspects to extract confession, he called for a systematic change in their approach. “Tamil Nadu has become a developed State in terms of economic growth and literacy rate,” he pointed out.

The police should not still believe in wielding lathis and using threatening tone.

“In the past, it was usual for teachers to hit students to make them study properly. But, it has now become a criminal offence. Likewise, the police should also adopt scientific technology in investigation. They could make use of body-worn cameras,” he added. The police personnel should come up with a discipline from within for which proper training should be given to them, he added.

On the protest by the relatives of the victims of the recent fireworks accident demanding more compensation, Mr. Tagore said the factory involved in the fatal accident was paying a huge compensation. The State government was also announcing compensation. But, only the Union government which issued licence through Petroleum and Explosive Safety Organisation was not giving any compensation, he added.

“If the Union government gives its share of compensation, it would be adequate for the families of the deceased workers,” he added.