Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)
Udupi, Sep 7: Chaos prevailed at SP's office here on Monday September 7 after students gheraoed SP Annamalai while submitting a memorandum demanding action against six personnel of Malpe police for allegedly assaulting two students in lock-up.
A student named Sampath had purchased a mobile phone which was supposedly stolen eight months ago. When he received a call from the Malpe police who were trying to trace the phone, he assumed it to be a prank call from friends, and spoke rashly. Awaiz too spoke to the police in a similar manner and both were later allegedly assaulted in the lock-up. Awaiz was admitted to hospital.
Angered by the incident, scores of students arrived at the SP's office here and demanded action against the police personnel involved in the incident.
SP Annamalai reprimanded the students for bunking classes on a Monday morning. "If you want to submit memorandum, just two or three students could have come. So many students cannot bunk classes and protest here," he told the students.
"The two students spoke rudely with a head constable who is double their age. We will investigate the case from three angles - students misbehaving with the head constable who called them, theft of mobile phone and assault in lock-up as alleged by students. Appropriate action will be taken against the guilty. But we cannot suspend any policeman right now," he said.
The parents of the two students requested the police not to file theft case against their sons, as it would jeopardise their future. Considering their concerns, no case has been filed.
The group of students complained that the police had not come to the Ajjarkad hospital where Awaiz was admitted to take his statement, and instead he was told to come to the police station. In response, the SP said, "The police personnel were busy with providing security for Krishna Janmashtami celebrations. They will visit the hospital and record the statement."
Convinced by the SP's assurance, the students dispersed.