Dalits flay police for failing to protect backward classes' leader

Mangalore, December 5: Representatives of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities have expressed their anger over the khakhi inaction during the assault on backward classes' organization leader at government-run Kukke Subrahmanya temple.

Speaking at the monthly grievance meeting at the office of Dakshina Kannada Superintendent of Police, Shekhar a Dalit representative asked why the police who were deputed on duty at Subrahamnya temple on the day of Shahsti did not try to rescue K S Shivaramu, President of Rajya Hindulida Vargagala Jagrutha Vedike, when he was beaten up by a violent crowd.

“The police failed to give enough security to Shivaramu on the day of his visit to the temple. The police became mute spectators,” he alleged. Further he asked the SP why he has not suspended DySP Nagaraju who responded rudely at the people who went to him to file case against the offenders.

Denying the allegations made against the police, SP Labhu Ram said it was the Police Sub Inspector and four constables at the incident venue who 'rescued' Shivaramu from the violent crowd. “The police were in civil dress (without uniforms),” he said.

He added that cases were booked against the main six accused under various sections including Section 143, 147, 323, 504 and 506. As they were bailable warrants, the arrested were released soon, he informed.

The SP also said that he has received complaint against DySP Nagaraju and the enquiry has begun. “The decision will be taken after receiving the enquiry report.”

Dalit Sangharsh Samiti (Ambedkar faction) leader S P Anand criticised the system where MP receives utmost police protection with 20-25 police accompanying him, while a person like Shivaramu does not get any protection. Shivaramu was treated like an animal, but none came to his help, he said.

Shekhar also came down heavily on the temple staff including the priest for supporting Malekudiya members to take up the violent attack. “The temple management welcomed the six arrested men by garlanding them and carried them in a procession. A detailed probe should be conducted and the men behind the attack should be punished,” he demanded.