Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (SS)

Mangaluru, Jan 4: A panchayat member tried to assault a gram panchayat (GP) PDO as per a complaint filed by the latter with the Uppinangady police station.

PDO Wilfred Lawrence Rodrigues was on a visit to Periyadka Nedil where he tried to remove a banner related to a tournament which was, according to the PDO, not put up with permission. Locals protested the PDO move to remove the banner.

GP member Suresh Atramajalu, BJP workers Ramesh Bhandary and Rohith among others tried to assault the PDO. According to the police complaint filed by the PDO the GP members and BJP workers tried to assault the PDO and they had even turned off the PDO's vehicle key and taken it away which amounted to obstructing a government servant from carrying out his duties.

GP member Suresh Atramajalu has also filed a counter complaint with the police pertaining to this incident.

Police have accepted the complaint and are now awaiting the court's approval to register it as a case.

The tournament is being conducted to raise funds to help a child who is unwell.

As per the complaint filed by the GP members with the police they alleged that the banner was put up with the permission of the panchayat chairman which was being forcibly removed by the PDO followed by an altercation with the people's representatives including an assault on them. GP chairperson Usha Muliya said permission had been accorded to hold the tournament on humanitarian grounds and to help a child who is unwell. She said the panchayat had not levied a fee for putting up the banner and clarified that no one had brought the matter regarding its removal to her notice.