Yashodhara Bangera
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)
Mangaluru, Oct 31: Yashoda Poojary, mother of Prashant Poojary, a flower vendor and Bajrang Dal activist from Moodbidri, who was killed by some persons early morning on October 9, has demanded investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the murder of her son, saying that several influential persons, who had extended indirect support to the accused, need to be arrested and interrogated.
Addressing a press meet in Moodbidri on Friday October 30, Yashoda noted that some persons accused of direct involvement in Prashant's murder have been arrested by the police, and that they are trying to arrest the remaining culprits. She thanked the police for their effort.
At the same time, she said that a people's representative and some businessmen had extended indirect support to the accused in their plan to kill her son. "The police personnel are under pressure not to arrest these influential persons. As these people, who wield considerable influence, too should undergo legal scrutiny, the case should be entrusted to CBI for investigation. The soul of my son can rest in peace only if these persons, who have lot of clout, also are arrested," she explained.
She regretted the fact that minister, Abhaychandra Jain, who happens to be the MLA representing the local constituency, did not care to visit the family when it was in deep grief, to condole Prashant's death. She also condemned the minister's statement in an interview to a television channel, in which he reportedly termed her son as a trouble monger.
"We had a loan burden of about Rs 8.5 lac against our house. Moreover, there were loans raised against the pledge of gold ornaments during house construction, in addition to local borrowings raised by my son. Responding to our crisis, Hindu activists, Swamijis, and businessmen, have extended financial assistance of about Rs 20 lac, by using which we could get rid of all our liabilities. Our family will be ever indebted to all those who helped us in times of need," she said.
Prashant's father, Anand Poojary, and sister, Prameeta, were present at the press conference.
On behalf of Puttur Sarvajanika Ganeshotsava Samiti, financial assistance of Rs 1,02,000 was extended to the family of the late Prashant, who had been recently murdered by a gang, on Thursday October 29.
Honorary president of the Samiti, Dr Prasad Bhandari, president, Arun Kumar Puttila, and BJP leader, K P Jagadish Adhikari, were present along with several activists on this occasion.