Munnar: An Assistant Sub-Inspector of Police lashed out at a group of tourists for addressing him as 'chetta' (brother) while he was on duty, startling onlookers. The incident occurred around 11 am in the heart of Munnar town.

The officer, attached to the Munnar Traffic Unit, was manning the junction when four youths from Kochi arrived on two motorcycles and approached him, asking whether they could park their bikes there. However, their attempt to be polite by calling him 'chetta' backfired, triggering the officer's anger.

"Can't you see I'm in uniform? Call me Sir!" he shouted, his voice rising as locals and vendors watched. As the officer's outburst intensified, the startled tourists quickly left the spot.

Recently, two police officials, a Grade Sub-Inspector and an Assistant Sub-Inspector, were suspended for failing to protect a tourist in Munnar when local taxi drivers harassed her for booking a cab online.