Despite reading numerous times about allegations of police brutality and manhandling of suspects, Malim Nawar state assemblyperson Keshvinder Singh, harboured doubts if they were all true.

Not anymore.

NONE All doubts were erased yesterday when Keshvinder (right) himself had a taste of police "cruelty" when he was pounced on by several police officers that resulted in him sustaining head injuries.

"I read in the papers about the police manhandling people but I still asked myself if these people are really that cruel. Since the incident yesterday, I believe it all now and have low respect for the police," Keshvinder told Malaysiakini.

Keshvinder has been warded at the Ipoh general hospital since yesterday. A CAT scan revealed that he had suffered a hairline fracture on his forehead.

He was arrested yesterday when the police used force to stop Pakatan Rakyat state assemblypersons from walking to the state assembly to convene a sitting.

Recalling the incident, Keshvinder said he had walked up to the police to urge them to stop pushing the Pakatan reps because they were in the process of dispersing.

"Suddenly, about five people grabbed me and threw me on the floor. It was like wrestling you see on television. They were so rough," he said.

"My head bounced off the floor. To make matters worse, someone placed his foot on my head while another kick me on the stomach. Another pulled my tie, choking me," he added.

‘Another TBH' scare

After about a minute on the floor, handcuffs were placed on Keshvinder and he was taken away in a police truck but his ordeal did not stop there.

NONE "When the ‘black maria' was parked outside Sungai Senam police station, I told Ngeh (Khoo Ham, Perak DAP chief who was also arrested) that my head was spinning and I felt nausea.

"He shouted from truck to tell the police that I needed water and medical attention, but no one bothered," he recalled.

It was only about five minutes later when Keshvinder, Ngeh and five other detainees were taken into the police station.

"When Ngeh warned the police that another ‘Teoh Beng Hock' might occur that jolted the police into take action. The police then asked me to lie down and called for an ambulance," he said.

Keshvinder plans to seek a second opinion on his injuries and wants to file a suit against the police for the hurt caused.

He said suits filed by Pandamaran state rep Ronnie Liu and Kuala Krai MP Dr Hatta Ramli are examples of successful legal action against the police for causing hurt.