Pics: Spoorthi Ullal

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Jun 3: Beltangady MLA Harish Poonja stated that the district superintendent of police (SP) C B Ryshyanth has made it inevitable for him to conduct a press meet.

During a press conference on Monday, June 3, Poonja expressed discontent with the SP's conduct, particularly during a press meet in Dharmasthala. He accused the SP of making allegations akin to a Congress party spokesperson rather than an IPS officer.

Highlighting the rapid filing of a charge sheet within three days, contrasting it with unresolved cases spanning years, Poonja said, “The SP behaved as if he wants to appease the chief minister or the district Congress.”

“The SP alleged that three police officers visited his residence to give a notice, but I have proof from CCTV where 15 police officers visited in three vehicles. The SP needs to answer why he manipulated the facts when he said only three police officers visited my residence,” he said.

Regarding his language at the Beltangady police station, Poonja defended his use of colloquial Tulu phrases, asserting their common usage. “What is wrong with the words used by me at Beltangady police station, is it a mistake? It is a common slang in Tulu which I used in the police station (does this station belongs to your father),” he said.

Poonja further said, “The SP also said during his recent press meet that as people gathered we had to put additional police force. Till 7 pm without notice, the police were constantly harassing. The SP had also said that as per the request of the people's representatives, we had to clear the police force.” Harish Poonja said that SP needs to clarify on whose direction the police force was cleared.

He also called for an investigation into the ownership of illegally mined land, criticizing the SP's purported lack of knowledge regarding land ownership identification through the Dishank app.