Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (EP)
Mangalore, Jun 26: Abdul Azeez Kudroli, JD(S) corporator from Mangalore, has met and submitted a memorandum to JD(S) national president H D Deve Gowda and his son and party leader H D Kumaraswamy explaining the circumstances under which he was arrested in Mangalore, and requested them to take action against those who were responsible for it.
Azeez, who arrested on June 21 in connection with the protest over the proposed ice plant at Kandak, was released from judicial custody two days later. The letter, released to the media, locals had opposed the setting up of ice plant and complained to him about it.
States that he has continuously represented Kudroli ward No 43 since 2008, Azeez said, "When I went to the spot on June 10 for inspection, hundreds of people met me and explained their grievances to me. At that moment additional town planning officer (ATPO) Shivaraj P B, who came there in his official jeep said that the ice plant had been grantd permission and threatened that a legal action would be taken against me if I raise objection. The locals who felt agitated by this unexpected and unwanted behaviour complained to the police, who arrived at the spot," Azeez stated.
"As the locals asked the official to produce the letter of approval in the presence of police, the helpless official called the mayor and the MCC commissioner to the spot.
"The MCC commissioner called us to his office to settle the matter after discussion. The locals had then disbursed peacefully without any untoward incident," he said.
"When I went to the MCC office on June 10, at 5 pm on invitation by the commissioner, Shivaraj P B addressed me in a patronising manner and threatened to file a police case and get me arrested. I met the MCC commissioner ignoring Shivaraj and submitted a memorandum on behalf of Kandak residents," Azeez said.
"However, the MCC commissioner joined Shivaraj and insulted the Kandak residents. Balakrishna Gowda, who is serving as town planning officer in the corporation also threatened the people who were with me," he alleged.
"Hurt by these incidents, we held a protest under the banner of JD(S) at the district level on June 11 and submitted a memorandum to MCC commissioner Shanadi Ajith Kumar Hegde, but he did not respond to our memorandum and instead complained against me and fifty others in the Pandeshwar police station and an FIR also was lodged. Police knew that I had applied for anticipatory bail, still they entered my residence on Saturday June 21 evening and arrested me in the most insulting manner. As I was purposely arrested on Saturday evening, I had to remain in lock up for two days. It was a conspiracy against me," he alleged.
"Shivaraj P B who was responsible for all these incidents was caught in a Lokayukta raid on February 1, 2008 and was suspended from service. He has been taken back in the same post while investigations are in progress. He has a record of serving in the same place without transfer for the last twenty-five years. It is surprising that his wife is working in his administrative department," he said.
"In view of the developments, I request you to take suitable action against MCC commissioner Shanadi Ajith Kumar Hegde, ATPO Shivaraj P B and town planning officer Balakrishna Gowda," states the letter to Deve Gowda and Kumaraswamy.