Kundapur: SI Assaults GP President - Photographers’ Association Complains to DySP

Vinay Pais
Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (SP)

Kundapur, Feb 24: President of Heroor gram panchayat in the taluk, Ashok Kumar Shetty, who also happens to be the vice-president of Karnataka State Photographers' Association, has complained to the deputy superintendent of police (DySP), that he was assaulted by Byndoor police station sub-inspector (SI)  Pavitra Teja.

Shetty, who suffered injuries in the assault, is being treated at the government hospital here.

It is said that Shetty had visited the police station in connection with a case relating to a Dalit family. He said the SI behaved inhumanly with him, and assaulted him with the help of other police personnel.

A complaint had been filed in the police station by Lakshmi Samagar, a Dalit woman from Heroor village, about the obstruction created by a person named Bhujanga Shetty against building of a compound wall by her in her land.

"I visited the police station with Lakshmi’s son, Nagaraj, in this connection. The SI did not allow me to speak. He used abusive and derogatory language against me, derided me, and assaulted me. He also restrained me from moving out for 75 minutes. He not only snatched away my mobile phone, but also warned Nagaraja, son of Lakshmi, to remain seated there," he explained.

Former taluk panchayat member, Sadashiva Paduvari, and chairman of Udupi zilla panchayat education and health standing committee, Babu Shetty, visited the police station after coming to know of the incident, and held talks with the SI and circle inspector, Arun Nayak.

In this connection, members of South Kanara Photographers Association conducted an emergency meeting at Hotel Hariprasad here and condemned the highhanded approach of the police personnel. They went in a silent procession and submitted a memorandum to deputy superintendent of police, Jayant Shetty, seeking stern action against the erring policemen.

President of the association, Vasudeva Rao, vice president, Ganesh, secretary, Naveen Rai Puttur, treasurer, Jagannath Shetty, and various other leaders of the assocaition from all over the undivided twin-districts were present. Circle inspector, Madan Gaonkar, and sub-inspector of the local police station, Johnson D’Souza, were present. A large number of people also gathered and lent moral support to the association members.

The DySP found that prime facie, the physical assault has been proved, and promised to initiate departmental proceedings against the guilty. He said it was wrong on the part of the SI to beat up visitors to the police station, and promised to send a suitable report to the SP, office bearers of the association said.