Policeman suspended for alleged atrocity on DYFI activist Riyaz

Mangaluru, Oct 20: In connection with the case of alleged police atrocity on a Muslim youth, who happens to be an activist of the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), a police head constable attached to Venur police station in Dakshina Kannada district has been suspended pending inquiry.

Superintendent of Police B.R. Ravikanthe Gowda said in a communique here that Taranath, head constable, has been kept under suspension pending departmental inquiry. He, however, did not elaborate the charges against the constable.

DYFI activist Riyaz Manthur (28) and his younger brother Irshad (18) were on their way on a motorcycle to the former’s in-laws place at Belthangady when the police at the check-post near Venur stopped them for document verification on October 2 night.

According to Riyaz, he had only driving licence with him, and he told the police he would produce vehicle ownership documents the next day. However, the police abused him and his brother saying that they were on their way to committing some theft and later called them by religion. The victim said that the policeman also used abusive words against their religion.

Police Inspector Nagesh Kadri, who was just transferred from Belthangady, happened to pass through the road and told the police to “kick them and put them behind bars,” Mr. Bajal said.

The police took the brothers in their vehicle, while continuing their assault on them throughout the way to the police station. The assault did not stop at the police station too, where the two were subjected to further torture.

P.G. Sandesh, Circle Inspector of Police, Belthangady, who was asked to inquire into the incident, in his report said that it was true that the victims did not produce the documents required. They also reportedly talked rough to the police. It was also true that they were assaulted by the police. However, their allegations that they were called by their religion were not proved, he said in the report.