Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (AB/MS)
Mangaluru, Oct 7: Steevan Rodrigues, the central vice president (VP) of the Catholic Sabha Mangaluru Pradesh, has warned police that a protest will be held in front of the police station if the attackers of Alwyn Jerome D’Souza, central president of the Catholic Sabha Mangaluru Pradesh, are not arrested within 24 hours.
Speaking at a press conference in the city, Steevan shared details of the attack on Alwyn D’Souza. He said, “Alwyn had gone to Pavoor Uliya for an inspection visit with a female journalist around 3 p.m. on Saturday, October 5. While he was standing near his vehicle, a group of 20 individuals, intending to kill him, verbally assaulted him. They said, ‘You are protesting against sand excavation. Because of you, officials have confiscated our boats. We will not let you live. When you are alone on your bike, we will crash a tipper into you and kill you. We will enter your house and murder you. We will kill you today.’” The gang then pushed Alwyn into a pit, causing him to fall on rocks, dislocating his shoulder. His ribs were damaged from the assault, and he sustained head, nose, and finger injuries. The attackers fled when they saw the journalist approaching with a photographer.
“Officials from the mining and geology department and the Mangaluru rural police station were only 50 meters away but took no action when informed of the incident,” Steevan added. Alwyn was later admitted to Father Muller Hospital, Kankanady, by media personnel.
The female journalist captured a video of the entire incident. Around 6 pm, the ACP visited the hospital to gather information about the attack, and by 8 pm, rural police officers recorded Alwyn’s statement. Steevan commented, “This is the reward we get for holding a peaceful protest on September 27 to protect the islands of Uliya Pavoor, Ranipura, Ullala Hoige, and the 62nd Tokur Kenjar areas. Our fight against environmental destruction will not stop.”
“The attack on Alwyn has not only hurt us but also instilled fear. If the culprits are not arrested within the next 24 hours, we will stage a protest in front of the Vamanjoor rural police station until justice is served,” Steevan declared.
Fr J B Saldanha, central spiritual director of Catholic Sabha Mangaluru Pradesh, Paul Rolphy D’Costa, former president, Stany Lobo, immediate past president, Alwyn Prashant Monteiro, chief secretary, social worker Sunil Kumar Bajal, and Gilbert D’Souza, a resident of Pavoor Uliya Island, were present at the press conference.