Daijiworld Media Network – Sullia (SP)

Sullia, Jan 2: The controversy surrounding police action against BJP activists in the town in relation to stone pelting incident on the police station here on December 14 night refuses to die down. Tremors continue to be felt in the police department in relation to the retaliatory action its personnel had taken with regard to the above incident.

Based on the report on the incident submitted by the additional director general police (ADGP) of the state to the DGP, circle inspector, Taranath, and local sub-inspector, Ravikumar, were suspended. It is said that the local BJP leaders expressed anguish at suspending just two police personnel, as against the ire they had expressed against ten, whose names they had provided to the government.  A delegation of BJP leaders rushed to Bangalore on Saturday night and appraised the Chief Minister afresh. Based on this feedback, two police constables of the police station here were suspended on Sunday January 1, it is gathered.

The suspended policemen have been identified as Ramesh and Scaria. Transfer of Kadaba police sub-inspector, Paulpriya Kumar to Mangalore, and of district superintendent of police, Labhu Ram, are also connected with the rumblings connected with the above incident.

The suspended policemen are angry. It is learnt that circle inspector, Taranath, has decided to knock the doors of justice against his suspension. He claims that there were no complaints against him, and that his suspension was not justifiable.

The district policemen feel demoralized with these suspensions because of political interference in such cases, some feel. A few police officers, on condition of anonymity, disclosed that honest police officials are afraid to come to district because of the concerns on earning the wrath of local politicians.  They feel that they are made victims when they act, and also when they do not. There also anger in certain circles for lack of public sympathy and support to honest police officers when they face injustice.

DYFI district president, Muneer Katipalla, also expressed anger at the attitude of the politicians and leaders of certain organizations that only those officials who dance to their tunes should serve the district. He felt that the district needs strict police officers to tackle criminal activities, but blamed Sangh Parivar outfits of demoralizing police force. JDS leader, M G Hegde, also came down heavily on what he termed as highhandedness of certain RSS leaders in the functioning of the police department.