Pics: Brijesh Garodi
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SHS)
Mangalore, Apr 20: Popular Front of India (PFI) staged a massive rally in front of the DC's office here on Sunday April 20 in protest against the killing of Kabeer, who was gunned down by ANF personnel on Saturday April 19.
The protestors demanded that the case be handed over to the CBI to ensure transparent probe and that the ANF team involved in the incident be suspended immediately and murder case booked against them. They also demanded sufficient compensation to Kabeer's kin and a job for his brother. False complaint filed against cattle traders should be revoked, they said.
Addressing the rally, PFI leader Shafi Bellare hit out at Siddaramaiah-led Congress government and likened it to Narendra Modi-led Gujarat. "When BJP was ruling the state unjust incidents were far less, but the current government that came to power promising protection of minorities has betrayed them. The police department has joined hands with Bajrang Dal to execute the vicious agenda of the Sangha Parivar," he alleged.
"The state government on the other hand has been indirectly supporting and shielding the police department in all its unruly acts, choosing to remain a mute spectator. PFI strongly condemns the fake encounter carried on the direction of Bajrang Dal," he said.
Taking a jibe at Bajrang Dal, he said, "PFI will mobilise the minorities to defeat BD. This is not the first case the state has witnessed. At least 3-4 such encounters have battered the minorities and pushed their rights into oblivion."
"Home minister K J George is the weakest minister in the cabinet who has repeatedly failed to address the problems of the police department. Lack of adequate system in the police department has allowed RSS activists to intervene in policing. The department is acting as if it is working under the directions of RSS, staunchly following the RSS' Hindutva agenda," he alleged.
Prior to his address, PFI activists raised slogans against state government, Bajrang Dal and and Sangh Parivar. They also said hundreds of Kabeers were with them, and nothing would stop them from protesting till justice was done.