By Thanusya Shanmuganathan
KUALA LUMPUR, July 5 — Riot police fired tear gas and water cannons during the April 28 Bersih rally, leading to violent clashes with protesters, and the situation was made worse by the use of barbed wire around Dataran Merdeka as it led to injuries to scores of demonstrators, a Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) inquiry was told today.
One witness told the inquiry that the barbed wire used by the authorities at Dataran Merdeka was usually used in war zones.
"According to my experience, it is the most dangerous barbed wire," retired soldier Khairul Anuar Pawanchik told the inquiry.
He also told the Suhakam panel that he saw a man with his ear dangling from his head, and that he was sure it had been caused by the barbed wire used to sela off Dataran Merdeka.
Another witness, Kunabalan Rahagopal, told the inquiry that the police did not give any warning before firing tear gas into the crowd of thousands of protesters.
"I am certain that there were no warnings given before the policemen moved in, he said.
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