Protesters demand suspension of policemen for assault on children

Mangalore, January 25: Condemning the recent police atrocity on school children and a Gram Panchayat president by Bajpe police, the Bajpe Muslim Okkuta and other progressive organisations on Monday staged a protest in front of the office of Deputy Commissioner, here.

Addressing the protestors, District Congress Committee President Ramanath Rai said that the police act of resorting to lathi charge on school children and Bajpe Gram Panchayat President Shahul Hameed for staging a protest against the PWD's action to remove the humps in front of Ansar English Medium School, is condemnable.

“Police resorted to lathi-charge at an elected representative when he tried to solve the problems within his limits. The incident was an attempt to disrupt peace and communal harmony in the region. It was an attempt to divide the society for getting political mileage,” he said.

MLA Abhayachandra Jain urged the State government to suspend Bajpe Police Inspector for his alleged action against the school kids and public.

“The lathi-charge at Bajpe was politically motivated,” said Jain.

KPCC General Secretary Ivan D'Souza said that the assault on protestors for protesting against the government is on rise in the recent years in Dakshina Kannada district.

“Those who protest against the government are suppressed using the police force in the State. It is a shame that we have a government which supports the communal forces in the district. Speed breaker was necessary as a school and a masjid was situated in the said vicinity. The assault on Gram Panchayat President was an insult to the elected representative,” said D'Souza demanding suspension of the Police Inspector.

The protestors who had gathered in large numbers shouted slogans against the Bajpe police station inspector and urged the authorities to initiate action against him. Members from PFI, DYFI and others were present.

In a memorandum submitted to the Deputy Commissioner, the protestors said that the police should have protected the interest of the public by installing speed breakers. Instead of protecting the interest of the people, the police acted like dictators.