Pic: Spoorthi Ullal

Daijiworld Media Network – Beltangady (MS)

Beltangady, Dec 27: Though murder, dacoity and assault case is registered against the accused in the murder case of a Dalit youth, who was working as farm labourer at Shibaje Kurunja village, police department has not yet arrested them due to political pressure. Mogera Sangha and Dalit organization coordination committee has condemned the murder and urged the police to arrest the accused and take legal action immediately.

In a press conference held on Tuesday December 27, the representatives of the Dalit organizations said, “Sridhar, who was murdered, is native of Chikkamagaluru district and used to work as labourer at Sara Farm house at Shibaje. Accused Timmappa Poojary, Laxmana Poojary and Ananda Gowda, who used to work in the same farm earlier, came to Sara Farm house in the auto rickshaw owned by Mahesha, nephew of Timmappa Poojary, on December 17 evening from Arasinamakki end.

“The accused beat Sridhar mercilessly over his marriage issue. Supervisor of the farm Harish, who noticed the chaos and screaming, intervened along with T C Abraham and Parameshwara Gowda and shielded Sridhar and brought him to the office of farm house and gave him first aid. After Sridhar recovered he was sent to his house where he used to reside.

“The accused thought that the assault they made on Sridhar will be known to the owner of the farm and a case might be registered in their names. So they entered the farm in the night by removing the wire fencing on the western end of the farm and went to deceased Sridhar’s room, threatened him and assaulted again. They poured the bottle of liquor and pesticide forcibly into the mouth of Sridhar, killed him and looted Rs 9,500 which Sridhar had with him. The accused depicted murder as suicide by pouring liquor and pesticide o the mouth of Sridhar.

“The accused have assaulted Sridhar earlier also as per the information available. In addition, the accused punish innocent people in the locality over trivial matters. Though case under IPC sections of murder, assault and dacoity is registered against the accused, DySP did not arrest them and let them go after inquiry. It has come to light that dirty politics of the taluk is behind protecting the culprits.

“The government has to take up the matter as a special case, change the investigating officer and conduct high level COD inquiry. The accused should be arrested and legal action should be taken on them. The complainant and witnesses should be provided suitable protection. If there is delay in this matter, Dalit organizations will hold protest throughout the district over the failure of police department,” they said.

Chief convener of Dalit organizations M Devadas, deputy chief convener Ramesh Kotian, chief secretary Ashok Konchady, advisor Ramesh Kavoor, convener Jagadish Pandeshwar, chief secretary of district Mogera Sangha Jayaprakash Kanyadi and Dalit leader Dinesh Moloor were present.