Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (DV)

Mangalore, Aug 26: Auto rickshaw drivers' union affiliated to CITU on Tuesday August 26 organized a protest in front of state health minister U T Khadar's residence demanding Rs 5 lac as compensation to the family of Mohammed Rifai, who was found murdered at Maripalla last month. His murder was said to be an act of revenge for the killing of Naushad. Though Rifai had no role in Naushad's murder, his brother Tousif was arrested in the case.

Interestingly, Khadar is currently in Bangalore, but on learning that protestors had gathered outside his residence, he made arrangements to provide them food at his house, which they happily accepted.

During the protest, CITU leader Vasanth Achari said "Auto drivers are easy targets in most crimes. Even in the case of Rifai, though he was innocent, the culprits murdered him at an isolated place. It is the responsibility of the government to look after the welfare of the people. We have assembled here not to protest but to draw the attention of the government and the representatives to the condition of Rifai’s family.

"The police department has successfully arrested the accused. We congratulate them on this. But with the death of Rifai, his family lost their chief breadwinner, hence, the government must give Rs 5 lac as compensation to the victim’s family. It is the responsibility of the representatives to respond to the problems of the people," he urged.

Sunil Kumar Bajal said, “The government should provide Rs 5 lac in compensation to Rifai’s family. Rifai was an innocent auto driver. In many instances of communal violence and gang wars, auto drivers are made easy targets. The CITU is holding a protest in front of state minister U T Khadar’s residence because people have voted him to power. It is his duty as a representative to respond to the problems of the people."

On this occasion, auto drivers offered money from their pockets to Rifai’s family. Protesters also submitted a memorandum to Khadar's PA. On this occasion, L K Suvarna and others were present.

Khadar's statement to protestors

After the protest, U T Khadar explained his absence in a letter addressed to the protestors and said that they should have informed him in advance about the protest, and that he has already met the victim's family.

Khadar stated, "Yesterday it came to my notice that you (CITU) would be holding a protest in front of my house today and handing over a memorandum. I regret to inform you that due to an urgent official work in Bangalore, I was not able to be with you today."

"I have already visited the residence of Rifai and held discussions with his family members, and assured them of taking stringent action against the culprits whoever they may be. I have even directed the police department to take stringent action against the culprits," he stated.

Admonishing the protestors for not informing him of their plans beforehand, he said, "Today there are so many means of communtication like telephone, mobile phone, e-mail etc, but you (CITU), without bringing to my notice your plan to protest, have put me in confusion as to what your real motive behind this protest may be. If you would had brought this to my notice earlier, and if there was no response from my side, then you could have carried on with the protest. There would have been some meaning to your protest then. This is my opinion."

He further said, "I will be back to Mangalore within two days, after which the protestors can meet me and discuss about this issue.

"I seek your (protestors') forgiveness if you faced any inconvenience during your protest," he added.