Pic: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (ANK)
Mangaluru, Dec 17: Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) district president Abdul Majeed challenged the district police to release video which proves the involvement of PFI activists in the alleged stone-pelting at police station, attack on police personnel and damaging of vehicles.
Addressing media here on Friday December 17, Abdul Majeed said, “The police used blackmail tactics to arrest the accused in an assault case in Uppinangady by illegally detaining PFI leaders. They have failed in their duties and detained PFI leaders for 24 hours illegally. PFI protested peacefully demanding their release. PFI and SDPI leaders were in discussion with higher officers inside the police station to release the leaders. Bantwal circle inspector T D Nagraj provoked our representatives. Instead of having a discussion, he instructed to resort to lathi-charge.
“There is certain procedure as per the law to resort lathi-charge. In this case, it was not followed. Was there any need for lathi-charge during a peaceful protest? Are the police soldiers of Hitler or prsonnel who abide by the Constitution? We demand enquiry under a sitting high court judge so that truth will be revealed. The police are the reason behind the violence, not PFI representatives.
“Police inspector Prasanna created a story of his injury. They have alleged that PFI representatives pelted stones, attacked cops and damaged vehicles. We challenge the superintendent of police to release the video which proves the same. SDPI will stand with PFI by giving moral and legal support to them. We will also support the ‘SP Chalo’ protest scheduled on December 17,” he said.
He further said, “When a leader gives an open threat to the deputy commissioner, MLA Harish Poonja released the accused. No action has been taken against them. In the last one month, due to ‘Trishul Deekshe’ minorities were attacked. Did the police call Nalin Kumar Kateel, Sharan Pumpwell or Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat to police station for enquiry? It is clear that the district police are working under the clutches of Sangha Parivar and RSS and are anti-Muslims.
“The police have made this incident communal and are targeting one community. Police personnel Nandagopal, Prasanna and T D Nagraj are behind the unlawful lathi-charge. They have misguided the higher officials,” he said.
State general secretary Afsar Kodlipete, Alfonso Franko, Riyaz Farangipete, national secretary Aboobakkar Kulai, district president Riyaz Kadambu and others were present.