Daijiworld Media Network - Sullia (SP)
Sullia, Sep 27: Even after intensive search operations lasting two days to find Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) conductor who jumped into River Kumaradhara on Sunday after having been frustrated at his failed effort to convince a woman passenger that she had given him Rs 100 note not Rs 500, he could not be found. Devadas, the conductor in question, remains untraced even on Monday.
Search on
15 expert divers from Gundia and firemen from the fire brigade at Puttur have been conducting this search operation. The fire brigade personnel used boat in an effort to find the missing conductor, but their efforts went in vain. The operation was hampered by the fact that rain received at higher altitudes since the last two days has resulted in increased flow in the river.
Humiliation at Kadaba police station ?
In a press statement, social worker, Kittanna Rai Gurpur, taluk panchayat member, Sachin Adapa, Gurpur gram panchayat vice president, Uday Bhat, and a relative of the conductor, Chandrashekhar, demanded impartial investigation into allegations that the policemen of Kadaba, in the absence of station house officer, had undressed the conductor and assaulted him. Asserting that Devadas was a person of high level of honesty and integrity, they said that the conductor committed suicide out of humiliation he had suffered at the hands of constables and damage to his sense of self respect.
"The conductor and the woman had visited Kadaba police station to settle the dispute over change raised by the woman. The police action in removing his clothes and assaulting him is condemnable," they added.
Son speaks
Son of Devadas, Pavan, said that his father was self reliant and a man of integrity. "He always gave me advice on the need to remain honest and truthful in life. He was known for discipline and self restraint while discharging duties. KSRTC had honoured him thrice with 'best conductor' award. He can never end his life because of dispute over change. He ended his life on account of a sense of shame and insult at the harsh treatment he suffered at Kadaba police station. Therefore, we demand a thorough inquiry into this entire episode," he demanded.