Daijiworld Media Network - Puttur (Sp)

Puttur, Sep 19: It was found that a banner set up at Nelyady town to pay tributes to a Hindu activist who had died all of a sudden in the recent past, was torn down on Thursday September 17 night. A protest was held against this act at Nelyady on Friday, and shops and establishments downed their shutters.

The banner was installed to pay rich tributes to Prashant Kokkada, an activist of Hindu organization from Kokkada, who had died unexpectedly a few days back. Youth from another religion had complained to police, alleging that the banner contained some objectionable material. Uppinangady police had asked leaders of Hindu organization to remove the banner. It is said that the Hindu leaders agreed to this request, and informed the police that it would be brought down the next day, as their activists were busy with Vinayaka Chaturthi celebrations.

The activists who reached the spot to remove the banner on Friday morning found that it had been torn. They then took out a procession in the town as a mark of protest.

Uppinangady police circle inspector, Anil S Kulkarni and sub-inspector, Timmappa Naik, arrived at the spot and managed the situation. When the protestors demanded action against those who had torn the banner, Timmappa Naik said that written complaint about this incident, if handed to the police, will be filed and steps would be initiated against the guilty. He noted that already some people had burnt down tyres on the national highway on this issue and anyone who creates public nuisance would be dealt with firmly.

During the discussions held at Nelyady police station, leaders like Bhaskar Dharmasthala, Poovaje Kushalappa Gowda, Nooje Tukrappa Shetty, Raviprasad Shetty Balya, Chandrahas Attijal, Prahlad Kolyottu and several others were present.