Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV/JS)

Mangaluru, Jul 9: The Mangaluru city unit of BJP on Saturday July 9 staged a protest against the state government demanding the arrest of minister K J George and CBI inquiry into the suicide of deputy superintendent of police (DySP) M K Ganapati.

DySP Ganapati committed suicide on July 7 in a private lodge in Madikeri.

Addressing the protest, former MLA Yogish Bhat said, "We should ponder over why senior police officers in the state are committing suicide. The state government has been mounting political pressure on such officers.

"DySP Ganapati was a sincere police officer who worked in Mangaluru and Ullal which is a sensitive area, and successfully curbed communal violence and restored peace. The state government is misleading people with statements that he was depressed. Unfortunately, the state government has also mounted pressure on Ganapati's father and brother to give statements to the media. Now the government is even claiming that there was no death note. The Congress government is clearly misleading the people," he alleged.

"The Congress government to favour it's own people has harassed officers like former DySP Anupama Shenoy. A sincere police officer like Mohan who was later appointed to Karwar was not given the posting for several days for registering a case against Siddaramaiah's son," he added.

He also demanded CBI inquiry into DySP Ganapati's death.

MLC Kota Srinivas Poojary said, "DySP Ganapati, a sincere police offcer committed suicide in uniform. If this is the condition of police officers what about the common man? The state home ministry seems to be helpless. The government is not interested in doing good work, but at least it should not do injustice to sincere officers. When FIRs can be lodged against the accused in cases involving common people, why is no FIR filed against the accused in this case?

"Several sincere officers like Anupama Shenoy, Mohan and other officers are been harassed. The government has pressured a senior officer into giving false statements in the media. It is really shameful. The state government should hand over this case to the CBI and seek resignation of K J George," he demanded.

Former MLC Monappa Bhandary also spoke on the occasion.

BJP vice-president Ravishankar Mijar, Capt Brijesh Chowta, corporator Sudhir Shetty Kannur and others were present.

Dakshina Kannada JD(S) demands George's resignation

In the wake of DySP M K Ganapati's suicide, Dakshina Kannada district JD(S) president Mohammed Kunhi has demanded the dissolution of the state government and imposition of President's rule in the state. 

Addressing a press meet at hotel Woodlands in the city on Saturday, July 9, Kunhi said, "We oppose the goondaism and anti-people policy of the Siddaramaiah government. DySP Ganapati’s suicide is an example of this. I knew Ganapati personally and he was a good officer. Prior to his suicide, he clearly said in a TV interview that former home minister K J George, officers additional director general of police (intelligence) A M Prasad and Lokayukta inspector general of police Pranab Mohanty had harassed him and they would be responsible if anything happened to him.

"There have been many incidents in which government officials like Rashmi Mahesh were attacked. D K Ravi's suicide incident, Anupama Shenoy's resignation, harassment of Mysuru DC Shikha and many other incidents have happened in the state. In a meeting yesterday, the chief minister directed the ministers to support K J George and not to give any statement against him. We demand the resignation of George. People do not have confidence in COD or CID. The case should be handed over to CBI with a timeframe. The two officials should be suspended immediately," Kunhi demanded.

JD(S) leader advocate S P Chengappa said, "I had met Ganapati four days back and he had told me the same thing (about harassment). He asked me whether he was wrong in taking steps to control the riots during church attacks. The Siddaramaiah-led state government is depressed. The death note written by Ganapati is also missing. The case should be handed over to CBI. If George does not resign in the next two days, we will stage an intense protest. We will give a memorandum to the governor through the deputy commissioner."

DK JD(S) youth president Akshith Suvarna, JD(S) Mangaluru city president Vasanth Suvarna were present among others.