Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network—Udupi

Udupi, Mar 18: Ronald Castelino, owner of a travel agency in Shankarpur and social worker, claimed in a press meet held on Tuesday March 18 that the Shirva police refused to provide security to an elderly man who was assaulted and threatened by his neighbor earlier this month.

Santhan Mathias (83), residing at Mudarangadi,  Pilaru village, with his sick wife, was badly assaulted and threatened by his neighbor Joseph D’Souza (48), on the evening of Sunday March 2. As per the incident report filed at Shirva police station on Tuesday March 4, the case number is 58/2014. D’Souza is a games teacher and has been involved in many other criminal cases. But none of the cases have been proven in court.

The accused also threatened Mathias’ family comprising of his two married daughters. Despite many witnesses and visual proof, the police were not willing to register an FIR against him. While the complainant pleaded for security, the police allegedly refused it.

This attitude of Shirva police has created a bad image in the minds of the public. The same complaint letter has been submitted to Siddaramaiah, chief minister of Karnataka, Vinaykumar Sorake, district-in-charge minister, and other respective departments. Mathias, the victim of this incident, requested media persons to help him gain justice.

Former Panchayat member Wilfred D’Souza, was also present at the press meet.