Police families’ attempt to mend fences with advocates fails

Police families’ attempt to mend fences with advocates fails

 An attempt by a few retired police officers and families of police personnel to talk peace with agitating advocates failed to materialise on Thursday.

According to K.Anthonysamy, retired police officer and president of the ‘Police Welfare Association,’ who led the families, their efforts failed to fructify as the advocates did not wish to meet them. However, attempts to establish cordial relations between advocates and the police would continue.

The development came amidst continuing hostility between advocates and the police. During their speeches, advocates, who are on a fast in front of NSC Bose Road, continued to condemned the police for beating up advocates inside the High Court premises on February 19. Mr.Anthonysamy and women members assembled on Esplanade Road to meet the fasting advocates. The women members waved white handkerchief to symbolise peace. They waited for some time. In the absence of an invitation they dispersed.

Mr. Anthonysamy later told reporters that he had contacted a leader of advocates, expressing wish to meet members of the fraternity. The leader had promised to get back. From Thursday morning, the leader’s mobile phone was switched off. Even as the police families were waiting, he received a call saying the advocates did not wish to meet them.

President of the Advocates Forum for Social Justice, K.Balu, while addressing the fasting advocates, referred to the unexpected development, and urged official authorities not to make such attempts. The agitation would continue.

Acting Chief Justice S.J.Mukhopadhaya held a meeting with representatives of advocates associations in connection with the terms of reference to be made to the Justice Srikrishna committee probing the February 19 incident, as ordered by the Supreme Court.