Udupi: Dalits stage protest against SP Annamalai, SI Rafeeq

Udupi, Mar 10: A group of activists of Dalit Hitarakshana Samiti staged a protest in front of the Clock Tower here demanding suspension of the sub-inspector attached to Hiriyadka police station for assaulting two youths. The protesters also raised slogans against Superintendent of Police K. Annamalai.

Addressing the protesters, Dejappa Karkera, convener of the samiti, said that on February 20, when the zilla panchayat elections were going on, the sub-inspector attached to Hiriyadka police station, M. Rafeeq, resorted to a lathi-charge to disperse a mob near Munduje Government Higher Primary School.

Kiran, belonging to the Koraga community, a Scheduled Tribe, was working in the house of Sadananda Shetty. He was just watching the events from within Mr. Shetty's compound. But Mr. Rafik dragged him out and thrashed him. As a result of the thrashing, Kiran's hand was fractured and he was admitted to the district government hospital. Though Mr. Karkera complained to SP Annamalai about Mr. Rafeeq's behaviour, Mr. Annamalai defended Mr. Rafik.

On February 22, Mr. Rafeeq stopped K. Sudarshan, another youth belonging to the Scheduled Castes, who was riding his motorcycle near Guddeangady and assaulted him for not wearing his helmet. Here too, Mr. Sudarshan could have been warned. Later, Mr. Sudarshan too was admitted to the government hospital for treatment.

The samiti had also not been given permission to stage a protest outside the SP office on Wednesday. “The government should not only suspend both Mr. Rafeeq and Mr. Annamalai, but also provide adequate compensation to both Mr. Kiran and Mr. Sudarshan.

“If no action is taken in 10 days, we will intensify our agitation,” Mr. Karkera said.

Meanwhile, in a press release issued here, Mr. Annamalai denied the charges made by Mr. Karkera. Mr. Rafik had to disperse the crowd as they were within 100 metres of the polling station. He had visited Mr. Kiran in the hospital. A case had been registered against Mr. Rafik and was being enquired by Kundapur Circle Police Inspector.

Mr. Sudarshan was driving recklessly on his motorcycle and speaking on a mobile telephone. The issue related to Mr. Sudarshan was being enquired by Udupi Circle Police Inspector.

There was a case against Mr. Karkera at Hiriyadka police station being probed by Mr. Rafeeq. Mr. Karkera was trying to mislead the people. He was protesting against Mr. Annamalai because he had not been given permission to stage dharna in front of the SP office, the release added.