updated version A participant who was involved in the Nov 5 gathering on Kesas Highway suffered from wounds after being allegedly hit in the face with a rifle butt, a doctor told the Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) inquiry this morning.

Dr Siti Aula Tarmizi from Klang hospital said on the evening of Nov 5 last year, she treated 10 patients from the gathering, including Ahmad Faisal Chik.

"He complained of being beaten with a cane and hit with a rifle butt. There was an abrasion on the left side of his face and his head had a bruise," she told the three-member panel which is investigating allegations of police brutality against participants of the gathering.

Siti also reported that Mohd Azman Ali, another participant, complained that he was hit with a fist and a helmet.

"He had bruises and his upper left check was swollen," she added.

When asked by inquiry chairman Anuar Zainal Abidin if the injuries suffered by Azman were consistent with being assaulted, Siti replied: "The wounds were possibly caused by being hit with a hard object."

Another doctor who examined seven people on Nov 6, testified that one of her patients suffered from a face wound as a result of also being hit with a "hard object".

"(One of them) Ahmad Jamali Ismail had a wound on the left upper cheek and it was consistent with being hit with a hard object. He had to be given three stitches," said Dr Sharmila Rajaintharam of Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah in Klang.

Nose fractured

The third witness today, Dr Irene Teo Ai Ling of the Klang Hospital testified that she treated a participant who complained of shortness of breath.

"He has a known history of bronchial asthma and it is a chronic condition. He also had swelling and bruises on the bridge of his nose. X-rays later showed he had a fractured nose. We referred him to the Ear, Nose, Throat (ENT) division," she said.

When panel member Mehrun Siraj asked Teo if tear gas could have aggravated his condition, she replied: "Possibly."

Teo said she also treated Eddie Shukur Ramzi who appeared as a witness yesterday at the inquiry.

"He alleged that he was kicked on the left side of his chest and that he was hit over the head with a piece of wood.

"Eddie Shukur had a bruise over the left forearm measuring 3cm by 2cm. His back had two bruises about 4cm long and three abrasions," she said, adding that the injuries were consistent with being hit with a blunt object.

The inquiry will continue on Jan 15 and 17 at the Suhakam headquarters in Menara Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur.