Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (UM)
Udupi, Apr 4: A day after illegal sand miners attacked deputy commissioner Priyanka Mary Francis, assistant commissioner Shilpa Nag and other officials during a raid at Kandlur in Kundapur taluk, nearly 2000 government workers boycotted work and staged a protest near the DC's office here on Tuesday April 4.
The protest was organized under the banner of the Udupi wing of Karnataka State Govenment Workers' Union.
Addressing the protest, president of the district unit of the Union Subramanya Shervegar demanded that the government workers be given maximum security especially during raids. "Attacks on government workers during raids have become common. Now even the DC has been attacked. Strict action should be taken against the culprits.
"The government should formulate a law that prohibits and makes attack on government servants a non-bailable offence. Only then can government servants do their job with fearlessly," he added.
He also demanded the immediate arrest of all those involved in attacking the DC and other officials.
Suma, a lecturer in a PU college, said, "Such incidents make us wonder whether we are really living in a free country. The DC is doing her job with utmost integrity and honesty. If government officers like her, who have secuirty, have to face such situations, then imagine the plight of ordinary government workers.
"It is heartening to see government workers from across the district join hands to protest. By doing so, they have sent a strong signal to those who indulge in illegal sand mining and other unlawful activities," she added.
DC Priyanka Mary Francis also arrived at the venue and accepted a memorandum from the protestors.
Addressing the gathering, she said, "We should not allow this incident to shake our confidence. We will put in even more efforts to curb illegal sand mining and bring the culprits to book. I thank all those who have stood by me in this mission."
Tahsildar Maheshchandra, Guru Prasad, Kiran Borkar, CMC commissioner Manjunathayya and others were present.
Speaking to media persons on the sidelines, the DC said, "I will get intimidated by the attack. In future too I will continue such raids. There is no question of backing out. All political leaders across party lines have supported me, and I am thankful to them. In future, I will ask help from the police department to form a squad to raid illegal miners.
"The higher officials at the state level have sought a report on the incident, and I have sent it to tthem. Counter cases have been filed against me and my gunman, which will be looked into. I will not allow such things to intimidate me," she added.