Daijiworld Media Network - Puttur (DV)

Puttur, Dec 15: Police have defended the lath-charge incident outside Uppinangady police and said that action was taken against Popular Front of India (PFI) activists after repeted warnings.

In a media release, police stated, “Uppinangady police had arrested Mohammed Sinan on December 13. Following his arrest, police summoned PFI activists Mohammed Zakariah, Musthafa and Hameed to the police station. Later, over 100 activists visited the station and gathered on the premises. The sub-inspector warned activists who gathered on the spot to leave.

Mob protesting on December 14

“The next day, though the police inspector had asked the activists to vacate the spot using a loudspeaker, they gathered illegally in front of the police station and blocked the road creating inconvenience to the public. Later, at around 4 pm, around 300 to 400 people gathered at the spot and demanded to free Sinan, Mohammed Zakariah, Musthafa and Hameed. They were also raising slogans against the police and the department. They were also above to take the law into their hands. Later, Hameed was inquired and a notice was issued to him to attend the next inquiry.

“Soon after, the PFI activists celebrated Hameed’s release in front of the police station and in the town. Later, they demanded to release Mohammed Zakariah and Musthafa. PFI activists from Puttur, Beltangady and Bantwal gathered in front of the police station. Though there was restriction under section 144, they were raising slogans against the police department. Though the police warned the mob, they tried to avoid entering the police station raising slogans against the department. The mob also attacked police with lethal weapons. As a result, Bantwal police sub inspector Prasanna Kumar suffered injuries on his left hand and Puttur DySP Gana P Kumar was also injured in stone pelting. Later, the police, to defend themselves restored to lathi-charge. A few people who went into a religious center, damaged public vehicles and police vehicles by pelting stones. A few members of PFI, with the intention to assault the police also gathered on the premises of the police station. They also pelted stones at the police station,” stated the release.

Circle inspector Umesh Uppalike, sub inspector Omanna, staff Kiran Kumar, Renuka, Shareef Nadaf, Sheshadri and Harish were injured in the incident.

Additional police force has been deployed on the spot. Prohibitory orders will continue to be in place till 12 am on December 17, informed the police.

• Puttur: Protestors gather in front of police station, lathi-charged - Sec 144 imposed