IP opened on case of religious teacher allegedly assaulted by two cops

An investigation paper (IP) has been opened on the case of a religious teacher who was allegedly handcuffed and assaulted by two policemen at the Gurun police station on Tuesday.

Kedah police chief Datuk Zamri Yahya said the IP was being prepared on the complaint and awaiting a medical report on the teacher from Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital before forwarding it to the public prosecutor.

The teacher, Mohd Na'im Zakaria, 29, had claimed that he sustained injuries to the head as a result of the assault and his wrists became swollen because of being tightly handcuffed.

"The police are taking the complainant's allegations seriously and will investigate in a thorough and transparent manner in accordance with the existing laws without favouring any party.

"We have taken immediate action to investigate the complaint besides investigating the two policemen involved under the Public Officers (Conduct and Discipline) Regulations 1993," Zamri said in a statement today.

The complainant was also summoned to Kuala Muda district police headquarters on Feb 12 for an identification parade to identify of the police officers involved, but he did not attend and was informed another parade will be conducted on Feb 17.

Zamri said in the 9.45pm incident on Tuesday, the complainant was riding a high-powered motorcycle when he was stopped by the policemen who were manning a roadblock in front of the Gurun police station and asked to show his driver's licence and road tax.

"During the inspection, a misunderstanding arose when the policeman on duty asked the complainant what was the capacity of his motorcycle.

"The policeman also found errors in the registration number of the motorcycle and issued a summons, but the complainant provoked him by refusing to sign it," said Zamri.