graveyard of politics

Freed: Some of the 22 detainees raising their arms in solidarity after they were released from Pudu Jail around 8.30pm yesterday.


By KULDEEP S. JESSY

KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 105 people who took part in the protests on Sunday are still being detained while 24 were released last night.

Federal CID director Comm Datuk Christopher Wan Soo Kee said those still in custody would be released on bail today. It was reported that 136 people were picked up during the protests at Jalan Ampang here and Batu Caves on Sunday which was attended by thousands. Another 105 had their details recorded.

“We released the others on Sunday and Monday after police took down their statements,” he said when met at Bukit Aman yesterday. Those picked up were remanded at the police training college on Sunday.

Freed: Some of the 22 detainees raising their arms in solidarity after they were released from Pudu Jail around 8.30pm yesterday.
A court registrar assisted in the remand proceedings at the college. The process was witnessed by Bar Council members and lawyers for the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) which organised the protest.

Comm Wan said investigations against those detained would be from all angles with a view of charging them under the Police Act for illegal assembly.

They would also be investigated under Section 188 of the Penal Code for disobeying the court’s order not to a hold a gathering in front of the British Embassy.

“We will also investigate them for other offences and forward the investigation papers to the Deputy Public Prosecutor for further action,” Comm Wan said.

When asked why Hindraf leaders, including P. Uthayakumar, who were present at the demonstration were not arrested for flouting the court order, he said the leaders could not be detected at the early stages of the demonstration.

“They only appeared towards the end,” he added.

On whether the Hindraf leaders would be arrested, Comm Wan said that depended on the outcome of their investigations.

Comm Wan also said police were investigating allegations posted on the Police Watch website that a 20-year-old youth had been beaten to death during the demonstration.