Indraf brothers assaulted, BN blamed

DAP's P Ramasamy claims that the violent beating of V Ganabatirao and his brother Papa Raidu was 'BN-inspired'.

PETALING JAYA: The assault on two Indian Rights Action Force (Indraf) leaders last night was inspired by the Barisan Nasional government, alleged DAP deputy secretary-general P Ramasamy.

He claimed that Indraf leaders, V Ganabatirao and his brother Pappa Raidu, were assaulted as they were gaining support among the Indians masses.

“Some quarters felt that the success of the recent Indraf 2.0 gathering was a threat to their standing,” he added, without naming anyone.

Last night, Ganabatirao and Pappa Raidu were attacked by three men, after the duo attended a funeral in Taman Mutiara, Klang.

It was believed that the attack was linked to the Indraf 2.0 rally in Brickfields on Sunday, which was attended by nearly 3,000 people.

A police report had been lodged over the assault and the brothers were currently warded at the Seri Kota Medical Centre.

Apart from Ramasamy, DAP secretary-general Lim Kit Siang, vice-chairman M Kulsegaran and Selangor state chief Teresa Kok visited the duo today.

Ramasamy, who is also Penang deputy chief minister, urged Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak to condemn the attacks and called upon the police to carry out their duties without fear and favour.

“If no action is taken, the Indian community’s anger against the government will be further aroused,” he said.

Ramasamy said this was not the first time a Pakatan leader was assaulted, referring to the brawl that occurred between PKR and MIC Youth members at the Prime Minister’s Office early this month.

The brawl on May 3 left Puchong PKR division chief S Murali with a severe eye injury.

‘Beaten with steering lock and plastic chair’

Relating his ordeal, Ganabatirao said the assailants had used car steering wheel lock and a plastic chair to beat them.

The attacks, he added, had left him with nasal bone fracture and bruises all over.

“My brother suffered worse. He was assaulted so badly that he fainted at the scene. Pappa Raidu’s left arm is fractured and his shoulder is now dislocated. A surgery is scheduled for him later today,” he told FMT.

Whether he recognised any of his assailants, Ganabatirao said he recognised one of the men. “He used to persuade me to join BN in the past,” he alleged.

Northern Klang district police chief Supt Shukor Sulong, when contacted, said: “We’ll investigate the matter. Right now, we are looking for suspects.”