Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)

Udupi, Apr 10: The BJP Udupi district unit on Monday April 10 staged a protest in front of Clock Tower here, condemning the suspension of Malpe police station constable Prakash and demanded to withdraw it within 24 hours.

Addressing the protesters, former MLA Raghupati Bhat said, "This is nothing but goondagiri of district in-charge minister Pramod Madhwaraj. Prakash was suspended without any inquiry by the police department. This certainly has been forced by district in-charge minister. There is no security for government officials in the district. Police have also failed to take action against the culprits who were identified as attackers in illegal sand mining case which happened recently.

"Along with other members of the party, I met Prakash personally at his home. The family members expressed their worries about the next move of the department. We learnt that he is the breadwinner of the family. He has come from another district to work and he loves to work in Udupi," he said.

"Minister Pramod Madhwaraj spoke in support of Kumar and had said that Kumar was a decent and sincere person. But medical report says that evening Kumar was drunk," he added.

Further taunting the minister, Raghupati Bhat said, "The minister might have given his power of attorney to his wife in settling disputes while he was away from the city."

Describing the incident at Malpe station, he said, "SI Damodar brought Prakash to the fish mill and forced him to apologize to Kumar. They also pressured Prakash to pay hospital bill. Goonda raj with political blessing is rampant in Udupi city.

"Within 24 hours, the suspension order of Prakash should be withdrawn or else BJP will hold massive protests. Kumar has mentioned two names in the FIR and Prakash’s name was not there in the complaint. Police department added his name deliberately. Surprisingly, the department issued a suspension order before registering the FIR. How is it possible? A detailed investigation should be conducted into the case at the earliest. The suspension order passed based on the incident that the constable raised his voice in a public place is ridiculous. Don’t they have freedom to raise voice against illegal things happening in a public place?" he questioned.

Speaking about the recent attack on DC during raid on illegal sand mining in Kandlur, Bhat said, "The arrested people in Kandlur are poor labourers from Uttar Pradesh. The district in-charge minister is involved in pressuring the police department against the arrest of the main accused.

MLC Kota Srinivas Poojary, Yashpal Suvarna, Suvardhan, Suresh Naik, Nayana Ganesh, Naveen Kutyar, Baikadi Suprasad Shetty, Dinakar Babu, Geethanjali Suvarna, Sheela K Shetty and others were present.

Raghupati Bhat also held a press meet in which he reiterated the above points.