Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Feb 20: Presiding officer of the magisterial probe ordered into the firing incident during the anti Citizenship Amendment Act protests here on December 19, G Jagadeesha, who happens to be the deputy commissioner of Udupi district, said that notices would be served on 176 police officers and staff to appear for hearing into the incident. The officials who will be summoned include Mangaluru city police commissioner Dr P S Harsha and deputy commissioner of police Arunangshu Giri.

"Nodal officer appointed by the police department K U Belliappa, who is the Mangaluru (north) assistant commissioner of police, has provided a list of 176 policemen who are ready to adduce evidence in the hearing. During the next hearing on February 25, 12 among them will be allowed to record their evidence. The others will be given an opportunity to record their evidences in phases," he said.

G Jagadeesha

He said that the spots of the December 19 incident have been inspected and that the members of the general public were allowed to record written evidences and submit video clips on January 7, February 6, and February 13. "So far 203 have recorded evidences, and the police have furnished pen drive containing 50 videos. On Wednesday, former mayor K Ashraf, gave written statement. With this, 204 evidences have been recorded so far. As Ashraf gave a video that was forwarded, it was returned," he explained.

He noted that a number of injured persons have since been healed and released from hospitals. Some, who were jailed, have been released on bail. They can personally give evidences in the coming days, he clarified, duly adding that a detailed information about the CCTV footage collected, number of video CDs, statement of evidences etc will be filed in the high court on February 24. Noting that the high court has directed to file investigation report into the incident on March 23, he said he will try his best to adhere to this deadline.

Ashraf said that when the situation was going out of control on December 19, police commissioner, Harsha, had asked him to come to the spot. "When went there and tried to pacify people, I came under attack. I was injured and hospitalized. I have approached high court, and given details of police atrocity in writing. Even though I had sent complaint to Bunder police station by registered post on December 28, there is no information about the registration of first information report. I will continue my fight against injustice from the police," he said.