Mangalore: Police Stall Protest Against Home Stay Attack, Several Detained
Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (VM)
Mangalore, Aug 16: A protest organized by Jaago Mangalore Association here on Thursday August 16 was stalled by the police who took some of the protestors into custody.
The Association had planned a protest against the recent home stay attack, in a bid to demand action against the perpetrators and justice for the young victims.
However, the police swung into action even before the protest could begin and detained several including Jaago Mangalore Association chief co-ordinator Vijaynath Shetty, advocate Dinesh Ulepady, victims of the attack Vijay Kumar and Gurudatt and George and Rajesh Kundar of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike.
The police claimed that the organizers had not taken prior permission to hold the protest. However, a source close to Jaago Mangalore Association told Daijiworld that they had applied for permission and had even agreed to the police request not to put up video screens as had been planned earlier.
The protest was supposed to start from the DC's office and pass through Hampankatta and Jyothi and culminate at Navabharat Circle, but the protestors were arrested before they could start the procession.
The road show had been planned as run-up to the protest to be held by Jaago Mangalore Association on August 21 against the same incident.
Pandeshwar police who detained the protestors released them later in the evening.
"We have so far not received any written communication either from the police or from any other authority denying us permission to stage the protest. Hence our protest campaign will continue unhindered and as planned. We shall hold the road shows at different junctions in the city as planned every evening till August 21. I once again appeal to all the citizens to participate in the protest march on August 21 which will commence at Jyothi Circle at 4 m and conclude with protest meet at Nehru Maidan at 5 pm," said Vijaynath Shetty.
He further added, "Atrocities like Padil attack can happen only because good people keep quiet. The silence of the majority of peace loving citizens has encouraged the anti social elements and the vested interests who are backing them to hold the city to ransom. If we are to defeat such forces, we should refuse to be bogged down and put up a united stand."