Yahya Hallare
Daijiworld Media Network - Bhatkal (SP)

Bhatkal, Jan 5: Some persons from Murudeshwar, Bailoor and Basti villages organized protest in front of Murudeshwar police station on Monday January 4, alleging that innocents were escorted to the police station and tortured, besides being abused with filthy words.

Sri Ram Sene leader Jayant Naik, Eshwar Naik Bailoor, and Bhatkal BJP unit president Eshwar Dodmane, led a group of over 50 protesters, accusing the police of dragging away some boys who were present at a marriage function held on December 15 to the police station without stating any reason.

"When some local leaders went to police station to question them about this incident, they too were confined to lockup by policemen, and the citizens who came together in front of the station were caned. Obscene words were hurled at the people. A detailed investigation should be held about this incident, and legal step should be taken against police personnel," they urged.

They also claimed that call for peaceful bandh was given at Murudeshwar on Monday January 4, and relating to this call, the police personnel had taken some people into custody. They demanded immediate release of these persons. Assistant superintendent of police, Dr Anup Shetty, received a petition containing these demands. Deputy superintendent of police, Pramod Rao, and police circle inspector, Prashant Nayak, and others were present.

Prashant Nayak dismissed the allegations of unacceptable behaviour of policemen as false and baseless. "In connection with illegal cockfight, some were rounded up and brought to police station for questioning. Some persons who came there in support of the accused misbehaved with a woman police constable. We took steps against them as per legal provisions. Neither myself nor other policemen of Murudeshwar police station have behaved unlawfully. The department has taken strict steps relating to rumours of Murudeshwar bandh, and protection has been offered to people and merchants. Those who try to disrupt peace will be dealt with sternly," he warned.

On Monday, the policemen arrested two persons on the allegation of forcing merchants to respond favourably to Murudeshwar bandh call. The arrested persons have been identified as Manjappa Naik and Prabhakar Annappa Naik, Both were produced before the taluk magistrate. A case was registered in Murudeshwar police station, and investigation is continuing.

Although news about Murudeshwar bandh had spread in advance, only a few shops in the town were found closed on Monday. Business was normal otherwise, and the weekly shandy did not face any problems. As a precautionary measure, police personnel from Bhatkal, Manki, Honnavar and other places were deployed to Murudeshwar to manage the situation.