Dalits flay police for labelling Vaittal as naxal

Mangalore, April 2: Dalitha Hakkugala Horata Samiti, Belthangady taluk president Shekhar l took police to task for labelling Dalit student Vittal Malekudiaya as a naxal supporter in the absence of proper evidence.

At the SC/ST monthly grievance meeting organized at the old commissioner office meeting hall on Sunday, he sought the status of the complaint lodged by one Ishwari against the circle inspector of Belthangady police station as he had verbally abused her when she stepped into the police station seeking justice.

Responding to this, SP Abhishek Goyal said no action has been taken due to lack of proper witnesses. On what grounds was the only graduate from Malekudiya community , Vittala Malekudiya arrested? Shekhar questioned . Is it wrong on the part of a person to store sugar, tea powder and other rations in his home? .The Anti Naxal Force (ANF)has traced only ration items and a book pertaining to the biography of freedom fighter Bhagath Singh.

How can they claim that Vittala was a strong supporter of Naxalites? He questioned, alleging that Anti Naxal Force had put Vitalla Malekudiya's name in the Naxalites list only to receive funds from the government. Responding to that, SP Abhishek Goyal said the ANF and Poilce department were two separate entities. ANF had arrested Vittala Malekudiya and handed him over to Belthangady police station. Blaming the police Department for the same is not fair as the district police is not connected to this at all. Whether he was a Naxal supporter or not will be decided by the court, he said.

The Police did not allow Vittala's mother to talk to him when he was in police custody, saying a court order was needed.

When Dalit leaders claimed that their life had worsened after the entry of the ANF team , SP Abhishek Goyal questioned Dalits about whether there were Naxalites in the Belthangady region or not.

Irked over the question ,Shekhar L said only the Police Department should answer such questions and not the public. If the SP is not able to answer the question , he should step down , he opined. Immediately ASP Prabhakar got up and warned him not to make such comments.
Though some leaders stood in favour of Shekhar many Dalit leaders said there were other issues that needed to be discussed and Vittala's arrest should be discussed separately.

Later, Dalit leaders placed some of their grievances at the meeting and received answers from the department. Civil Rights Enforcement cell (CREC) SP Sarvotham Pai and others were present at the meeting.

Complaints should be given FIR copy

Whether it is an atrocity case or any other case, a copy of the First Investigation Report should be given to each complainant. Every police station should follow this procedure, said Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh here on Sunday.

He was speaking at the SC/ST monthly grievance meeting at the Commissioner's Office.

When Dalith leader M A Naik revealed that Moodbidri police station had not provided a First Investigation Report copy to a complainant, Singh said the complainant should know the status of his case and police stations should instil confidence in the complainant by doing justice and give him a copy of the FIR.

Another Dalit leader, Vittal VB revealed that traffic police constable Jithin Kumar had collected Rs 1000 from him without giving him a receipt. Hearing this Seemanth Kumar Singh questioned why he had paid the constable such a huge amount without getting a receipt. He promised to inquire about the incident.

DSS district convener SP Anand alleged that a sub inspector at Mangalore South Police station threatened a dalith woman not to enter the station in future. However , when the Commissioner asked the particular sub inspector , she rubbished the complaint.

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From malls to highways, Kannada signboards to be enforced in Dakshina Kannada

News Network

February 4,2026

Mangaluru: Urban local bodies and gram panchayats should make the use of Kannada on signboards mandatory while issuing trade licences to commercial establishments, Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner Darshan HV said. He also called for regular inspections to ensure compliance.

Presiding over the District Kannada Awareness Committee meeting at the deputy commissioner’s office, Darshan said the city corporation would be directed to ensure that shops operating in malls prominently display their names in Kannada. “All commercial establishments, including shops, companies, offices and hotels, must mandatorily display their names in Kannada on signboards,” he said.

The deputy commissioner added that the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) would be instructed to include Kannada on signboards along national highways. Banks, he said, would be directed through committee meetings to provide application forms in Kannada.

“Even if English-medium schools and colleges impart education in English, their signboards must display the institution’s name in Kannada. Steps will also be taken to ensure that private buses display place names in Kannada,” Darshan said.

During the meeting, committee members raised concerns over the closure of Kannada-medium schools in rural areas due to a shortage of teachers and stressed the need for immediate corrective measures. They also pointed out that several industries employ workers from other states while overlooking local candidates.

Members further demanded that nationalised banks provide deposit and withdrawal slips in Kannada. It was brought to the deputy commissioner’s notice that the presence of staff without knowledge of Kannada in rural branches of nationalised banks is causing hardship to local customers.

Meanwhile, MP Srinath, president of the District Kannada Sahitya Parishat, urged the district administration to allot land for the construction of a district Kannada Bhavana in Mangaluru.

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