Mohan Kuthar

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Dec 1: Protesters seeking justice for those who have broken limbs or lost their lives due to potholes on city roads were denied permission by the commissioner. Following this denial, a series of protests have continued in the city commissionerate's jurisdiction. "Our fight will not stop until the commissioner is removed from this city. We are ready to protest relentlessly, face arrests, and counter any cases you file against us," warned DYFI district president B K Imtiyaz.

Speaking during a roadblock protest held under the joint aegis of DYFI and CPI(M) at Grama Chavadi Junction in Harekala on Sunday, Imtiyaz criticized Mangaluru city police commissioner Anupam Agarwal, comparing him to British officer General Dyer, for suppressing democratic rights. The protest was held under the banner 'Anupam Agarwal Hatao' (Remove Anupam Agarwal).

Accusing legislative assembly speaker U T Khader of supporting the commissioner, Imtiyaz said, "Khader has tarnished the honor and dignity of the speaker's post. If you have the strength, show it by providing houses to the poor, government colleges, and medical and engineering colleges."

He emphasized that the communist struggle is the reason many poor people in Dakshina Kannada district own five to ten cents of land today. "The aroma of such struggles is unknown to police commissioner Anupam Agarwal, but we will now fight to send him away from Mangaluru," he declared.

DYFI taluk president Nithin Kuthar remarked, "Contractors fear protests when roads have potholes, but why is the police commissioner scared? What is the connection between you and the roads?"

CPI(M) Mudipu zonal secretary Rafique Harekala, leaders K H Hameed, Umarabba, secretary Rizwan Harekala, leaders Razak Montepadavu, Harekala village committee president H K Iqbal, Harekala gram panchayat member Ashraf Harekala, P H Haider Aladka, Ramachandra Pajeer, and others were present.