A video circulating online shows three men being forced to sit on a road and thrashed by police officers in Andhra Pradesh. The incident, which occurred on the Tenali highway, has sparked outrage and raised serious questions about police brutality and accountability.

The three men, identified as Victor, Babulal, and Rakesh, were made to sit with their legs stretched out on the road while surrounded by a large group of policemen. According to reports, the men are followers of a local figure named Laddu, who allegedly attacked a constable named Chiranjeevi in Aitanagar a month prior, supposedly under the influence of drugs.

The video shows a police officer testing the tip of a wooden stick before striking one of the men on the feet. The man cries out in pain and attempts to withdraw his feet, but the officer orders him back into the original position and continues to beat him. The other two men are then subjected to the same treatment, each receiving approximately ten blows while pleading for mercy. In the video, another officer is seen placing his boot on one of the men's legs while the beating continues.

Ambati Rambabu, a spokesperson for the YSR Party, shared the video on social media platform X, highlighting the alleged brutality of the police action. The incident has drawn strong condemnation from various quarters, with many questioning the legality and ethics of the police's behavior.

This is not an isolated incident. There have been past instances of police brutality in Andhra Pradesh. In 2013, a similar incident occurred in Anantapur district, where police officers publicly thrashed murder suspects, claiming they wanted to "set an example." The Director General of Police at the time ordered disciplinary action against the officers involved, deeming their actions "unwarranted." In 2022, a traffic constable in Tirupati was suspended after a video went viral showing him kicking a drunk man. These incidents highlight a recurring issue of police misconduct and the need for greater accountability.

The incident raises concerns about the use of excessive force by law enforcement and the lack of due process. While the men may have been associated with someone who committed a crime, it does not justify the public humiliation and physical abuse they were subjected to. Every individual is entitled to be treated with dignity and respect, and the police are expected to uphold the law, not become perpetrators of violence.

The incident underscores the urgent need for police reforms and greater accountability within the system. It is crucial that a thorough and impartial investigation is conducted to determine the full extent of the misconduct and to ensure that those responsible are held accountable for their actions. There must be consequences for such behavior to deter future incidents and restore public trust in the police force. Furthermore, there needs to be emphasis on training police personnel on de-escalation techniques, human rights, and ethical conduct. Only through systemic changes and a commitment to upholding the rule of law can such incidents be prevented in the future.