Mounesh Vishwakarma

Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal

Bantwal, Mar 1: A bandh was observed in Farangipete, near Bantwal in Dakshina Kannada district, on Saturday, March 1, led by Hindu organisations and the BJP, protesting the alleged inaction of the police in the case of a missing second-year Pre-University (PUC) student, Diganth.

The student, who disappeared on February 25, has left his family and local residents frustrated by the lack of progress in the investigation.

In response to growing public pressure, the police have deployed two platoons of the Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) and more than 500 personnel to maintain law and order in the region.

Workers from the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), Bajrang Dal, and the BJP, including many women, joined the protest in large numbers, with several commercial establishments voluntarily closing in solidarity with the bandh.

The protesters have raised concerns that Diganth’s disappearance may be linked to a “ganja gang” and are calling for the police to take stronger action against drug peddlers. They allege that the police have not sufficiently pursued this angle.

Diganth, a student at a private PUC college in Mangaluru, was last seen on the evening of February 25 after collecting his hall ticket for the board exams. Later that evening, he went to Anjaneya Vyayama Shale but did not return home.

A bloodstained sandal belonging to Diganth was found near the railway tracks, along with his mobile phone, raising suspicions of foul play. Additionally, CCTV footage from near the Anjaneya temple captured a suspicious black car in the vicinity around the time of his disappearance. The protesters believe the car could be linked to the case, adding further mystery to the situation.

The Bantwal rural police have formed three special teams to investigate the case, but protests have intensified due to what the demonstrators claim was the police’s initial assumption that Digant’s disappearance could be attributed to exam-related stress. The protesters argue that Diganth’s family confirmed he was not anxious about the exams, and they feel the police’s reasoning is insufficient. Additionally, there are concerns that the police have not adequately followed up on the lead involving the black car.

The MP for Mangaluru Capt K Brijesh Chowta, speaking at the protest, expressed concern, stating, “Every parent should be worried under these circumstances. I have spoken with senior police officials, and they must continue their investigation into the ganja mafia. If the police take strict legal action against drug traffickers, such incidents can be prevented.”

MLA Bharat Shetty also addressed the gathering, saying, “Many women have complained about not being able to walk freely on the streets due to the increasing presence of criminals. However, the police have not responded to these concerns. The police force has lost its credibility, and it has become necessary for the youth to take a stand against these issues.” He warned that if the police remained silent, they would be forced to take action themselves, emphasising, “If Hindu youths go on the streets, the consequences may be dire for the police,” he said.

MLC Kishore Kumar visited the protest and called on the police to act quickly to find the missing student. He stated, “The police were informed immediately after the child went missing, but they were slow to act. Five days later, the child has still not been found. The law and order situation in the state is deteriorating, and the drug mafia in Dakshina Kannada is out of control.”

Satish Kumpala, president of the BJP in Dakshina Kannada district, also joined the protest and demanded that the police locate the missing student immediately. He accused the Congress government of creating an atmosphere of insecurity for Hindu leaders and BJP workers since taking office. “The drug mafia in the area has intensified, and just a few days ago, a BJP leader was attacked. Now, five days have passed since the student went missing,” he said. “If the police don’t solve this case in two days, we will intensify the protests.”

Beltangady MLA Harish Poonja also spoke at the protest, urging the police to act swiftly. He said, “We have faith in the police department, and we trust they have the capability to handle this case. However, if Hindu organisations are forced to take to the streets, it could lead to a situation that no one wants.” He also warned that the police should not provoke Hindu organisations further, as their protests could escalate.

Other leaders, including Prasad Kumar Rai, Ravindra Kambli, Bharat Kumdalu, Umesh Shetty, Tarannath Kottari, and others, participated in the protest. Following a call from Hindu organisations, businesses across Farangipete voluntarily closed in support of the bandh.

SP Yathish N promises intense probe into missing student case

Superintendent of police Yathish N visited the protest site and assured the public that the investigation into Diganth's disappearance would be intensified. “This case should not have reached this point of protest. However, complex cases take time to solve. We have called in expert officers from various stations, and we are making honest efforts to resolve the case. We will not rest until Diganth is found,” he said.

He appealed to the public for assistance, stating, “Please continue to trust us and provide any information you may have. We need your cooperation to move forward.”