Demo held in three places opposing Puttur police officer's transfer

Mangalore, February 11: Several organisations led by the Popular Front of India held protests in three places in Dakshina Kannada on Thursday against the transfer of Assistant Superintendent of Police, Amit Singh.

Mr. Singh's recent promotion and subsequent transfer to Bangalore comes in the wake of an incident in Bantwal town in which Mr. Singh allegedly assaulted Bantwal Urban Development Authority Chairman Govind Prabhu on February 8.

Late that night, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers and Puttur MLA Mallika Prasad had staged a dharna in front of Mr. Singh's residence in Puttur.

Representatives of People's Union for Civil Liberties, Dalit Sangharsh Samiti (DSS) and Karnataka Komu Souharda Vedike (KKSV) joined the protest condemning Mr. Singh's transfer.

Victor D'Silva of PUCL said: “There is protection for those who indulge in “rowdyism” by staging a protest in front of an IPS officer's house in the night, but not for an honest officer.”

DSS district convenor S.P. Anand said even elected representatives such as the local MLA and MP for the district had participated in the protest.

Member of the district unit of the KKSV Mohammed Kakkinje said Mr. Singh was targeted because the BJP workers could not free the accused who were being questioned in a case of throwing stones at a mosque in Bantwal taluk.

District Committee member of the PFI Hamid T.S. said in a communally sensitive region like Dakshina Kannada there was a need for officers who “treated everybody equal under the law”.

“Even though he has been promoted, the Government has not disclosed his post,” he said, and added that the Government was setting a dangerous trend.

He urged the Governor to revoke his transfer.

A similar protest was held by Popular Front of India Bantwal district unit in front of Taluk office, BC Road.

Speaking on the occasion, Abdul Saleem, DK District Secretary, Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), said that Popular Front will raise its voice for the citizens if the country who undergo trouble by the fascist government irrespective of which community he belongs to.

The BJP government in Karnataka which experienced the worst political affairs in the history of Indian politics is not allowing the sincere police officers to work freely in their stations, said Abdul Saleem. Although, ASP Amith Singh is not assaulted the Bantwal Urban Development Authority Chairman Govind Prabhu, the BJP leaders including Puttur MLA Mallika Prasad had staged a dharna in front of ASP's residence in Puttur while Mr. Singh's wife was at home alone which is a shameful act, he stated.

Popular Front of India wants peace in this land which is possible if there is a presence of sincere officers, he disclosed.

The transfer is a complete misuse of the ruling power and an insult to values of honesty, said Hameed Salmara, Secretary of Puttur Legislative Assembly, SDPI.

Akbar Ali, member of DK district council, Popular Front of India delivered the key-note address.

Shahul Hameed Parliya, President, Bantwal Legislative Assembly, SDPI, S H Shahul Hameed, President of Bantwal Division PFI and many others were present in the event.