Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Mar 1: Francis Almeida, an electrician by profession who also undertakes dairying activity, said that he had given a calf free of cost to a friend, Muhammed Ibrahim from Gangolli. He alleged that Gangolli police sub-inspector, Nanja Naik, has been pressuring him to file a statement accusing Ibrahim of stealing his cow. "I did not agree to his suggestion. Therefore he registered false case against me and put me behind the bars. As he has meted out injustice to me, I will register case against sub-inspector Nanja Naik," Almeida asserted.

He was addressing a press conference held here on Monday February 28. He said that he had given a calf of his cow to Ibrahim during December free of cost to enable him to raise it. "He built a cow shed and was looking it after. On December 26, Nanja Naik and staff visited the residence of Ibrahim and questioned him about the calf," Francis stated.

"In the evening, the police summoned me along with Ibrahim to visit Gangolli police station," he explained.

Francis Almeida said that he was questioned by the police about the calf and he had told them that he had voluntarily given it to Ibrahim. "At 11 pm that day, the police visited Ibrahim's house and brought the calf to the police station. At 2 am, I was sent home. On the next day, the police took Ibrahim to near Monki cross and asked him to start running after getting down from the jeep. They pointed the gun to his head and ordered him to run, so that they could kill him in an encounter but Ibrahim did not run," Francis stated.

Francis said he was asked by the police to bring the calf which was at the police station to the above spot. "When I reached there with the calf, some Bajrang Dal activists were present there. They took a photo of the calf and projected as if Ibrahim had stolen the calf. I was then sent home. A month later, the police called me to the station and asked me to sign a letter stating that I had not sold the calf to Ibrahim. I refused. Angered by this, I was arrested on February 18. I was in jail and was released on bail on February 21. The police have committed atrocities on me," Francis alleged.

Sabina, daughter of Francis, and sister-in-law Prameela, were present at the press meet.