Kundapur: Journalist attacked for exposing illegalities in gram panchayat

Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (VM)

Kundapur, Feb 3: A reporter with Vijayavani Kannada newspaper was attacked by three miscreants late night on Saturday February 2.

The reporter is identified as Sripathi Hegde Hakladi, Vijayavani reporter of Udupi.

Sripathi Hegde

As per the information received, at around 10 pm Sripathi was riding back to his house in Hakladi after work, when three people stopped him, used abusive words and allegedly assaulted him.

The attackers have been identified as Adikekodlu Udaykumar Shetty, vice-president of Vandse gram panchayat, Thotebailu Santhosh Shetty and another unknown person. They allegedly threatened to kill him.

As per the information obtained, Sripathi had exposed the illegal activities in Vandse gram panchayat in one of his articles in the paper. He had mentioned that Udaykumar Shetty cheated on the election to president's post which was reserved for a woman of schedule caste and after that he was successful in getting elected as vice-president. Sripathi in his report had stated that Udaykumar misused his power in the panchayat and as a result the deputy commissioner personally intervened in the matter and conducted the election.

In the same way, Sripathi had also thrown light on an issue involving Thotabailu Santhosh Shetty when he was Hattiangadi gram panchayat president. Angered by this, Santhosh Shetty and Udaykumar Shetty are said to have plotted to attack Sripathi.

Hence, the duo for a few days watched the reporter's movements and allegedly attacked him on Saturday. Sripathi somehow escaped from the place with some injuries. Soon SP, DYSP, circle inspector and other police officials came to his rescue and provided security. The accused are said to be absconding and search is on to trace them.

Kundapur working journalists' association strongly condemned the incident. Instead of supporting an honest reporter, he has been attacked, they alleged. "Police should soon trace the culprits and punish them. They should see to it that no harm is done to journalists in future," said union president Shashidar Hemmadi and secretary Nagaraj Rayappanamata.