Udupi, December 1: Protesting against the apathy of the police in arresting Bajrang Dal activists involved in an attack on eight youths, including Dalits, members of members of various progressive groups under the leadership of the Karnataka State Dalit Mahila Okkoota staged a demonstration in front of the District Police Office here on Friday.
Eight youths were attacked by a gang of about 35 persons at Kukkehalli that comes under the jurisdiction of Hiriyadka police station in Udupi district on November 14. Nagaraj, who had suffered severe injuries, received treatment at the District Government Hospital. The progressive groups have alleged that the Bajrang Dal was behind the attack.
Addressing the protestors, Sundari Puttur, convener of the district unit of Karnataka State Dalit Mahila Okkoota, said the Sub-Inspector of Hiriyadka police station should be dismissed from service immediately for protecting the “goondas” of Bajrang Dal. All Bajrang Dal activists involved in the attack should be arrested on the charge of committing robbery and under the Scheduled Castes and Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
Action should be initiated against the Deputy Superintendent of Udupi Sub-Division, Circle Inspector of Brahmavar and other police personnel for their inaction in the case.
The police department should take effective steps to prevent the increasing number of atrocities against the Dalits in the district, Ms. Puttur said.
Jayan Malpe, convener of the district unit of DSS, said the Deputy Superintendent of Police Prabhudev Mane had assured a delegation of Dalit leaders on November 20 that two separate squads had been formed to nab the miscreants and they would be arrested within two days. But the police had failed to take any concrete action.
There existed no full-time Superintendent of Police in Udupi district for the last two months. The district required an effective Superintendent of Police. The police in the district were working hand in glove with the local Bajrang Dal activists, Mr. Malpe said.
K.L. Ashok, General Secretary of the State unit of Karnataka Komu Sauharda Vedike, said that the police in Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts looked the other way when Dalits and the persons belonging to minority communities were attacked. They had no qualms in arresting innocent people.
G. Rajashekhar, writer, said the police in Udupi district were deaf, dumb and brain dead. Their failure to catch the miscreants even after 15 days of the incident testified to this. The police should give minimum protection to people so that they could lead their lives, he said.
The leaders of various progressive groups K. Phaniraj, Sharada Moodusagri, Hayavadana Moodusagri, Haneef Muloor and Idris Hoode, and Congress leaders Ramesh Kanchan, Yatish Karkera and Veronica Carnelio were present.
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