Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (NJC)
Mangaluru, Nov 2: The Dakshina Kannada Mogaveera Samyukta Sabha has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the state government to fulfil a series of demands in connection with the death of fisherman Somanath Putran, warning of intensified protests across the coastal region if its demands are not met.
Addressing a press conference held at the auditorium of Urwa Mariyamma Temple on Monday, November 2, Sabha president Bharat Ullal alleged that Somanath Putran, a member of the Mogaveera fishing community, died by suicide on October 27 after allegedly facing mental harassment at the hands of personnel at Surathkal police station.
He said Somanath was the sole breadwinner of his family and had no criminal background. His death had deeply shocked the fishing community and created an atmosphere of fear among fishermen along the coast.
Among its key demands, the Sabha has sought an impartial judicial or CID investigation under the leadership of a serving or retired district judge. It has also demanded that police personnel allegedly responsible for mentally harassing Somanath be booked under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and immediately suspended.
The Sabha has further demanded the arrest within 48 hours of Kajol, from Delhi, and Riyaz, from Kerala, whose names were reportedly mentioned in the complaint filed by the deceased's wife. It has sought the publication of the investigation report within 30 days and compensation of Rs 2 crore to the bereaved family from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund.
Bharat Ullal expressed suspicion over the alleged omission of the names of those responsible for the incident from the FIR. He demanded that CCTV footage, the general diary and all other relevant records from the police station be immediately secured.
Other demands include the government's assumption of full responsibility for the education of Somanath's children, protection of witnesses and family members from false cases, and departmental action against the police personnel concerned and senior officers who allegedly directed them.
The Sabha has also called for the establishment of a dedicated 'Fishermen's Protection Cell' at coastal police stations and special training for police personnel in dealing with members of the fishing community.
Speaking about the circumstances leading to the incident, Bharat Ullal questioned the police action against Somanath and alleged that the fisherman had been targeted despite attempting to prevent an incident in the vicinity of his residence.
He claimed that a group of five women had come to Mangaluru and stayed at a hotel, and that one of them had arrived with a married man who had two children. The Sabha had reportedly lodged a complaint expressing suspicion over their activities, including possible drug consumption or sale.
Ullal maintained that Somanath had neither behaved inappropriately nor consumed alcohol. According to him, Somanath and another person had only asked the visitors not to remain in a potentially dangerous area and to move towards the beach. He alleged that the woman and her companion verbally abused them in English.
He further questioned why a case was registered despite Kajol reportedly requesting that Somanath be warned and released without filing an FIR. He alleged that Somanath, fearing further police harassment and possible trouble for his wife and children, held himself responsible in his suicide note.
Ullal also criticised certain YouTube channels, smaller media platforms and television channels for allegedly portraying the Mogaveera community as a group of drunkards, damaging its reputation and dignity.
Speaking at the press conference, Vasudeva Bolar said there had been earlier confrontations between drug peddlers and local residents in the area. He clarified that the community had not engaged in moral policing and that they did not even know the identity of the young man involved in the incident.
He described the inspector as a good person but said the situation had not been handled effectively. He warned that if justice was not delivered through a judicial inquiry, the community would launch an agitation similar to its previous protests.
Charan, another speaker, said the incident concerned the dignity and identity of the fishing community. He pointed out that the area was their traditional space and an important part of their livelihood.
"Whenever someone drowns in a river or at the beach, fishermen are called upon to recover bodies and assist the police during inquest proceedings. Shouldn't the police show at least basic courtesy towards the same community?" he questioned.
He asserted that the community would stand united whenever its dignity and identity were threatened. He also challenged the police to obtain and examine the available video footage of the incident.
Local resident Girish stated that the police had arrived at around 11.30 pm and taken those involved to the police station. He claimed that the woman had stated in her complaint that Somanath had not physically touched her. He further alleged that the police had made four individuals apologise to her for verbally abusing her.
The Sabha reiterated that the government must respond to its demands within 48 hours, warning that failure to do so would lead to a large-scale protest across the coastal belt.