Daijiworld Media Network – Beltangady (MS)

Beltangady, May 19: MLA Harish Poonja, accompanied by BJP activists, staged a sit-in protest at Beltangady police station late Saturday night, following the arrest of a rowdy sheeter and BJP Yuva Morcha leader Shashidhar Shetty (35) accused of illegal stone quarrying. During the protest, Poonja verbally abused and threatened the police inspector.

Poonja confronted the inspector, angrily questioning whether the police station was his personal property. He demanded to know why the BJP worker was arrested, arguing, "Our worker did not commit murder or rape. Why was he taken from his house at night? What FIR was filed? Were those present at the raid taken into custody? Did the landowner mention the activist’s name? What crime did he commit to be pulled from his house in front of his family?"

Accusing the police of bias, Poonja stated, "You are behaving like agents of the Congress party. We know under whose pressure you are working. You are emboldened because Congress is ruling the state."

When a police officer explained that the arrest was made according to procedure, Poonja retorted, "I know your procedures better than you. Under whose pressure did you file the FIR? I know the influences behind this."

Further berating the officers, Poonja exclaimed, "SP and Tahsildar are not answering their phones. The police station is public property, not your father’s. If you do not release our activist, I will not leave."

Poonja and his supporters remained in the police station until 1 am, chanting slogans against the police. Despite the protest, the police did not release the activist.

The incident began with a police raid on a stone quarry in Melanthabettu, Beltangady, on Saturday evening, resulting in the detention of four individuals. The detainees disclosed that the quarry was operated by BJP Yuva Morcha taluk president and rowdy dheeter Shashidhar Shetty, prompting the police to arrest him later that night.

Harish Poonja accused the police of high-handedness, alleging that illegal stone quarrying and sand mining were rampant in the district. He argued that even if an arrest was warranted, it should not have been conducted at night. Poonja claimed that the police often overlook illegal activities in areas where they receive regular bribes.

BJP Yuva Morcha president, rowdy sheeter Shashiraj Shetty remanded to judicial custody, search on for another accused party leader

However, the Beltangady police performed their duties without buckling under MLA Poonja's pressure. Rowdy sheeter and president of BJP Yuva Morcha, Shashiraj Shetty was produced before the judge and the court ordered his judicial custody for 15 days in connection with the illegal mining case in Melantabettu village.

Explosives were found at the site during the raid by the police in Menantabettu. The police registered a case under various sections including illegal explosive stock and arrested the accused Shashiraj Shetty. The accused has now been produced before the judge and the court has ordered judicial custody. Meanwhile, police are also on the lookout for another BJP leader Pramod Ujire, who is also an accused in the case. He is absconding