Shirva protest: Group assaults bus employees for not supporting bandh
Pics: Umesh Marpalli / Inchara Udupi
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (UM)
Updated
Udupi, Jan 20: The protest at Shirva over alleged molestation of a minor girl by a 56-year-old man took an undesirable turn when a group reportedly assualted two bus employees for operating their bus despite the bandh on Monday January 20.
It is said that Mohammed Asim (34), the conductor of the bus and driver Mohammed Hanif (34) of Belapu were driving their bus at Padubelle when a group stopped the bus.
The group also allegedly threatened the duo and assaulted them for not supporting the bandh.
Asim and Hanif were then made to drive the bus to Shankarapura, with the members of the group leading as well as following the bus on their bikes. At Shankarapura the Asim and Hanif were again allegedly assaulted after which they proceeded to Shirva in the same manner.
When they reached Shirva, Asim and Hanif saw an opportunity to escape and ran towards Shirva mosque for refuge. The people who were chasing them as well the locals gathered and tension prevailed as two groups began to form.
The police intervened before the situation could go out of hand, and threatened to resort to lathi charge, after which the groups dispersed.
Time keepers of the bus Ramesh and Mohan filed a complaint against Babu, Madhu, Girish and Santhu in this regard.
Hanif and Asim, who were admitted to Ajjarkad hospital, said that while buses named 'Kripa' and 'Devi' were allowed to run, their bus was stopped by the protesting group.
Second Update
Shirva tense, protestors demand strict action against accused
Inchara Udupi
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi
Udupi, Jan 20: Following the alleged sexual harassment of a minor girl by a 56-year-old man in a bus on the night of Sunday January 19, protestors came out in large numbers on the streets of Shirva here on Monday January 20 and demanded strict action against the accused.
Shami Abdul Khader (56) was arrested by Shirva police after the girl filed complaint alleging that he had tried to molest her in the bus from Kaup to Shirva on Sunday night.
The protestors on Monday demanded that police take stringent action against Shami and book him on charges of rape.
Ratnakar Hegde, Sudhakar Shetty Bykady, Sunil K R, Santosh Kumar, Satish Kuthyar and others spoke during the protest.
Tense atmosphere prevailed in Shirva town as shops remain closed and the general public chose to stay indoors.
Higher police officials arrived in Shirva and tight security has been deployed.
Sources said that a few people gathered near Shirva mosque and tried stopping vehicles, but police quickly reached the spot and threatened to resort to lathi charge, after which the crowd dispersed.
Earlier Report
Udupi: Man caught for harassing girl, Shirva shuts down in protest
Inchara Udupi
Pics: Wilson Shirva
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi
Updated
Udupi, Jan 20: A 56-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly trying to molest a minor girl in a bus plying towards Shirva on the night of Sunday January 19.
It is said that the girl was travelling from Kaup to Shirva in a bus when the man, identified as Shami Abdul Khader, who sat next to her, tried to molest her. The girl filed a complaint in Shirva police station and with the help of the locals, he was arrested.
Following the incident, locals and members of Hindu organizations gheraoed Shirva police station on Sunday night and demanded strict action against the accused.
A bandh was called on Monday January 20 by locals and Hindu organizations in protest of the incident. Hundreds of policemen have been deployed in Shirva and security has been heightened to prevent any untoward incident.
During the protest on Sunday night in front of Shirva police station, the locals said that several such incidents have occured in Udupi and Dakshina Kannada, but police have failed to take suitable action. Tension prevailed for sometime as the protestors and police engaged in heated exchange of words.
A protest was held by members of Hindu organizations and locals on Monday morning. A meeting was also called to discuss the issue, details of which are awaited.
So far, the bandh has been total, with most of the general public preferring to stay indoors.
More details awaited.