Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Dec 21: Representatives of various Muslim organizations accused the police of unleashing violence during the anti Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protests in the city on Thursday as per a plan that was conceived by them in advance.

President of Muslim Writers Association Ummer U H, addressing a press meet held at Masjid Ihsan in the city on Friday December 20, claimed that some Muslim youth had planned peaceful protest on Thursday in the city, but the police personnel forced them to agitate by caning them and bursting teargas shells. "By resorting to firing unnecessarily, they claimed two lives. There was no need for the police to fire at the mob. They did everything as per a plan they had thought of in advance," he charged.

Leader of Popular Front of India and advocate Ashraf K Agnadi, said that when prohibitory orders are in force under section 144, if the situation goes out of control, the police have to issue public warning and disperse the crowds. If the situation still goes out of hand, police can cane the protesters below their knees. "The police violated law on Thursday. They overlooked the fact when chasing and beating up protesters that it was closing time for schools and colleges. They chased protesters and also those who were not protesting. They burst teargas shells and fired at the public including the mosque indiscriminately. Two persons lost their lives in this violence, and six persons including former mayor K Ashraf, suffered bullet injuries. As many as 38 were injured in lathi-charge, and all of them are being treated in
private hospitals," he explained.

Ashraf Agnadi claimed that Jaleel from Kanduka was fired at and killed by the police in the presence of his wife. He termed the police version of the violence about the protests like laying seize to Bunder police station, attempt to kill police personnel, injuries suffered by deputy commissioners of police etc as imaginary stories concocted by city police commissioner Dr P S Harsha. He recalled that the police commissioner had invited former city mayor K Ashraf, to advise the people to stay calm and Ashraf obliged by pacifying the agitated protesters. "Jaleel Krishnapura and Mustafa Kempi had accompanied Ashraf and when they were walking on Bunder road, bullets were fired at them. Ashraf was injured in the firing and he is undergoing treatment. In a nutshell, the violence was unleashed and a terror situation was
created in the city by the police in a systematic manner," he stated.

SDPI leader Ashraf Jokatte, alleged that city police commissioner Dr Harsha, has been making false statements about the events which unfolded on Thursday. He accused Dr Harsha of misleading people by claiming that about 7,000 people had mobbed Bunder police station, as a part of systematic conspiracy hatched by him.

Jamaat-e-Islam-e-Hind leader Muhammed Kunhi, also accused the policemen of killing two persons in a systematic manner. He demanded to hold judicial probe into the incident. He also urged the people of the district not to lend an ear to rumours and maintain peace.

Khalid of Hidaya Foundation, Nazeem S S of HIF, and general secretary of SKSM, B S Imtiaz, were present.