Daijiworld Media Network - Dharwad (SP)
Dharwad, Aug 3: In connection with lathi charge at Yamanur during Mahadayi river dispute protests, nine police including an inspector stand suspended. Inspector general of police (Beagavi north range), Dr K Ramachandra Rao, passed an order suspending these nine people on the basis of video footage of caning the people and also report received from the superintendent of police, Dharwad district.
The suspended police personnel are Navalgund station house officer, Arunkumar Happali, and two constables from Navalgund, two from Vijayapura district, and four more from Belagavi district. The superintendents of police of these district however, have refused to divulge the names of suspended constables.
During the protests led by farmers against the verdict of Mahadayi water disputes tribunal after finding that it was against the interests of Karnataka, violence had erupted at some places and policemen had caned the protestors. In some villages, women including pregnant ones, old people, and students inside the houses were dragged out and beaten up indiscriminately. This had led to statewide criticism, and state home minister, G Parameshwar, had expressed regret.
It is said that when chairperson of Karnataka State Women's Commission, Manjula anasa, and Navalgund tahsildar, Naveen Hullur, visited Yamanur village, the villagers took them to task. Manjula Manasa was moved by the content of the video footage and injuries suffered by villagers and expressed her anger about police personnel involved in strong words.
Unique protest by BJP women's wing
Women injured
As per information, more police personnel may be suspended after getting feedback from the home minister, who has watched the video footage of the atrocities.
It is gathered that a team of advocates, who have agreed to work for free, has been formed to secure release of 1,187 farmers arrested and lodged in different jails. An eight-member advocates team is also planning to file criminal cases against the suspended policemen for atrocities. As the superintendents of police have refused to provide names of constables. the lawyers are planning to get the list through courts.