Silvester D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur
Kundapur, Sep 14: The police on Thursday September 14 thwarted attempts of various right-wing outfits to hold a protest against the alleged 'goonda' behaviour of the Kundapur police inspector, and chased away the protestors who had gathered in big numbers. The police, who had prior information about the protest, deployed sufficient security to ensure that the protest would not happen.
As soon as the protestors arrived at the spot in buses, the police arrested them and took them away. The activists were later released.
On Monday September 11, a group of students, consisting of boys and girls of different communities from Udupi had come to the beach here. The Hindu Jagarana Vedike chased them away, alleging that the students were behaving 'indecently'. A few activists of the right-wing outfit then passed on information to their counterparts in Koteshwar, who waylaid the Alto car that the students were travelling in. When the students were handed over to the police, a verbal duel ensued between the cops and the activists. Alleging that Kundapur inspector Nasir Hussain had used 'abusive' words against their activists, right-wing outfits sounded the protest call.
Activists from across the taluk were expected to take part in the protest. Hence the police had beefed up the security and since afternoon, over 200 police personnel including KSRP and other forces were deployed near Shastri circle in anticipation of trouble.
At around 4 pm, the activists began arriving at the protest venue. Protestors who arrived by a mini bus from Gangolli were arrested just as they got out from the vehicle and were taken away to the police station. The right-wing leaders who grew angry questioned the police and a verbal battle ensued between them and the cops. The police however did not relent and gave no scope for the protest. Till around 6 pm, a tense atmosphere prevailed at the spot.
Udupi SP Dr Sanjeev Patil was camped at the DySP office, ready to intervene if the situation turned worse. Circle inspector Manjappa, inspector Nasir Hussain and others ensured that the situation was under control.
Activists like Rajesh Kaveri and B Kishore Kumar who were arrested were later released. Suresh Shetty Kadur, Deepak Kumar Shetty, Bhaskar Billava, Shankar Ankadakatte and others were present.
Speaking to reporters, BJP minority cell district vice-president said, "When we sought permission for the protest, the police gave some trivial excuse and turned us down. When we came here to voice our views, the police arrested the activists and took them to the police station, which is not right. Do not test the patience and tolerance of our activists who want to give a message to the society. We are ready for peace, we are ready for battle too. Let the police slap any case they want to. We have seen enough of cases and jail stints already. Let us join hands to build the society.
"We have already discussed the matter with the SP, and he has assured that it will be investigated. This behaviour on the part of the police is not right. Is is this democracy or autocracy? This attempt to appease a particular community is not right," he said.