Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SP)
Mangalore, Sep 18: Police circles in the district are understood to be agog with rumours, that the western range inspector general of police (IGP) Ashit Mohan Prasad contributes to some extent to the charges, that the policemen behaved brutally and inhumanly against the Christians who were protesting against the attacks on their centres of faith.
During the said protest, the policemen had resorted to lathi charge and bursting of tear gas shells, after the protestors had pelted stones at them. The policemen had caned the protestors at Kulshekhar Holy Cross Church, Vamanjoor Joseph the Worker church and Tokkottu Permannur St Sebastian Church on Monday morning. The policemen are charged with indiscrimate swinging of their batons, not even sparing the weak and the women. Christian organizations have accused the police of unncecessary and excessive use of force and inhuman behaviour. Reportedly, the IGP expressed his displeasure to the police inspectors who were on the spot, for their excessive use of force against the agitators. The policemen are arguing, that under the circumstances, they had no other option but to use force to control the situation.
However, the police have support from some quarters. DK district superintendent of police Sateesh Kumar, who personally oversaw the situation and moved about in the city assessing the situation and guiding the policemen during the happenings, is said to have supported the action of his juniors. In turn, the policemen have appreciated his leadership skills and efficient handling of the situation. It is also said, that the SP advised the police officers to manage the situation justifiably without too much worrying about the possible allegations of excesses.
There have been complaints that the department did not deploy women police in required numbers to control the women agitators. The police officials say, that they had to use force to control the situation which was threatening to go out of control, although sufficient women police were not present on the spot.