Daijiworld Media Network – Beltangady (MS)

Beltangady, Jan 31: Moolanivasi Malekudiyara Sangha, Adivasi Hakkugala Samanvaya Samiti, Dalit Sagharsh Samiti and various Dalit organizations held protest in front of town police station on Monday January 30 accusing the police of not registering case against Beltangady MLA Harish Poonja who allegedly insulted, humiliated, assaulted and threatened with life in public Jayananda Pilikala, leader of Adivasis.

Addressing the protesters, S Y Gurushant, state convener of Adivasi rights coordination committee, said, “MLA Harish Poonja is inflicting more suppression on the already suppressed community. The attempt to assault Jayananda is attack on the self-respected Malekudiya community. The government should take immediate action against the MLA.

“The BJP is full of criminals. Power of Harish Poonja is not permanent. People will teach him lesson in coming days. We will complain to the human rights commission and President of India as the next part of our protest. Let us all raise our voices for justice,” he said.

Former minister K Gangadhar Gowda said, “Police is trying to downplay the matter giving lame excuses. It is really tragedy that the police is supporting the atrocities of the MLA. As the police is not doing justice to its duty, people have to come down on the streets. The protest will continue till justice is served.”

CPIM leader Shivkumar, labour leader B M Bhat, block Congress president Shailesh Kumar, DSS Mysuru division convener B K Vasanatha, former president of Malekudiya sangha Jayarama Malekudiya and others spoke and supported the protest.