U.S. state governor apologizes to India over police high-handedness on Indian national

Governor of U.S. state of Alabama Robert Bentley has apologized to India for the high-handedness of Madison police against a 57-year-old Indian national, sources said Wednesday.

The incident left him partially paralyzed earlier this month.

In a letter written to the Indian Consul General in Atlanta Ajit Kumar, Governor Bentley said Tuesday that he regretted the unfortunate incident in which the cops used excessive force on Sureshbhai Patel when he was out for a walk outside the home of his son on Feb. 6, the sources said.

"Please accept our sincere apology for this tragic incident to your government, Patel, and the citizens of India who reside and work in our state. I deeply regret the unfortunate use of excessive force by the Madison Police Department on Sureshbhai Patel and for the injuries sustained by Mr Patel," he wrote.

He added "I sincerely hope that Mr Patel continues to improve and that he will regain full use of his legs."

The incident has sparked massive outrage in India and the government took up the issue with the United States, following which a probe was ordered and the cop, who was caught on closed- circuit TV assaulting Patel, was arrested. Endi