Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (UM)

Udupi, Feb 21: Sub-inspector (SI) of Hiriadka police station Rafiq has been accused of beating up a Dalit youth for no reason during clashes between BJP and Congress members at Bombarabettu here on Saturday February 21.

The alleged victim, Kiran (18), a resident of Hiriadka, had come to work in the plantation belonging to Sadananda Shetty of Kondadabettu, when the incident took place.

It is learnt that late afternoon on Saturday, clashes erupted between Congress and BJP workers at the Munduje school polling booth in Bombarabettu. SI Rafiq and his team of police personnel arrived at the spot and resorted to mild lathi charge to disperse the mob.

Some of the activists ran into Sadananda Shetty's property where Kiran was working. It is alleged that the police led by SI Rafiq who chased the activists, without bothering to distinguish Kiran from others, hit him repeatedly.

A seriously injured Kiran admitted to hospital.

Following the incident, members of Dalit Sangharsha Samiti (DSS) and Samata Sainik Dal visited Kiran in hospital and expressed their support.

Vishwanath Petri of Samata Sainik Dal demanded that an FIR be lodged and SI Rafiq suspended from duty.

Ramesh Kotian of DSS said, "The sub-inspector should be suspended immediately. The IGP and SP should probe the case. SI Rafiq had harassed people from SC/ST communities earlier also, but no action was taken. If our demand is not met, we will gather support from other organizatins also and stage a massive protest."