Mangalore, Apr 27: A Dalit woman participating in the monthly SC/ST grievance redressal meet held at Mangalore Police Commissioner's office in the city on Sunday, blamed the police of persistent inaction in the atrocity cases lodged by her at Konaje police station.
Detailing her long ordeal of harassment and verbal abuse from her neighbours, resident of Konaje Sumitra Umesh alleged apathy and rudeness of local police officials in connection with the cases booked against the neighbours. “Despite several atrocity cases booked against the accused beginning from the year 2010, no proper action was taken in any of the cases. I have no satisfaction of investigation or appropriate action taken in the five cases registered so far. What initially began as minor harassment from the neighbours has now intensified, with me and my family facing regular death threats from the same people. But, each time the police officials have done nothing either to ensure our safety or action against the accused,” she grieved.
She alleged that on one occasion, the water source to their house had been deliberately poisoned during the time when she was pregnant. But, even in that case, the police did not take any action. These are sensitive issues which ought to be taken seriously by the police, she complained, stressing that immediate inquiry was required in the matter.
The woman had brought up this issue and alleged police indifference on several occasions in previous SC/ST grievance meetings.
Chairing the grievance meet, DCP (Crime & Traffic) N Vishnuvardhan assured her of inquiring into the matter and appropriate action immediately.
No prompt action by police officials'
In another case, Dalit representative Girish Kumar complained that the police officials were taking prompt action in cases of atrocities against Dalits only after the higher police authorities were approached.
He said that the local police officials in Bajpe police station had registered an FIR against the accused in a recent atrocity case, only after Dalit organisations and their leaders submitted a memorandum to the police commissioner urging action.
He said that Keshav, a worker at a stone quarry in Bajpe, had lost his finger during an accident at the quarry, but was being harassed by the quarry owner to resume his work despite his injury. The quarry owner Maxim Pinto has been continuously pressurising the worker to resume his duties and further assaulted and verbally abused Keshav. However, an FIR against him was registered only after Dalit organisations approached the police commissioner, he complained and urged the police to arrest the accused.
Misusing powers
Vishu Kumar complained that a resident of Suratkal was masquerading as a Dalit leader and misusing his position to threaten the locals and even the local police officials.
He alleged that Ismail Bala from Suratkal was claiming that he was the state president of a fake organisation called All Karnataka Dalit, Backward and Minorities Committee and also misusing the picture of B R Ambedkar.
In a separate instance, he alleged that a person named Santhosh from Bikarnakatte was indulging in cheating youth by enticing them with fraud jobs through a dubious job agency.
The DCP directed the concerned police inspectors to probe both the instances and take appropriate action.
Kadri police inspector said that a case had been registered against Santhosh in Kadri police station and efforts were being made to arrest the accused who was absconding.
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