Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)
Mangaluru, Aug 8: Various right-wing outfits under the banner of Hindu Hitarakshana Samiti on Tuesday August 8 began a day-long hunger strike against the state government and the police for the delay in arresting the murderers of RSS worker Sharath Madivala. The protest was held in front of the DC's office here.
Similar protests were also held in Bantwal, Moodbidri, Sullia, Puttur and other places in the district.
Addressing the protest, VHP leader Jagadish Shenava said, "The situation in Dakshina Kannada over the past two months does not seem to be good. Section 144 was clamped in the district for record 60 days. But during the period of prohibitory orders too, murders and attacks too place, one of them being that of Sharath.
"The police and the state government have utterly failed to arrest the culprits behind Sharath's murder, and also of Pawan's murder at Melkar and those behind the attack on Chiranjeevi at Kuthar. When SDPI leader Ashraf Kalayi was murdered, the accused were nabbed within 24 hours. The police have arrested only three people for the attack on a youth during Ashraf's funeral procession, even though the attack was captured on video that went viral."
"There was stone pelting during Sharath's procession, but instead of arresting the accused, the police raided the residence of Satyajit Suratkal, Sharan Pumpwell and Harish Poonja and booked them under IPC Section 308. We strongly condemn this," he said.
VHP working president M B Puranik said, "Peace has been disturbed in Mangaluru, Suratkal and Bantwal, because of influence from the neighbouring state of Kerala. In Kerala, under CPI(M) administration, our RSS and BJP leaders are being hacked to death, but the Kerala police and their government are least bothered about restraining it. There is no discussion in the media or statements by eminent thinkers on these murders. Slogans have been raised freely calling for elimination of Sangh Parivar but unfortunately no action has been taken against such sloganeers.
"Sharath was brutally murdered at BC Road. There is a conspiracy of hiring killers from other places. We are sad that the culprits have not been traced so far. In Ashraf Kalayi's case, the police nabbed the culprits within 24 hours.
People are losing faith on the police. If the police are not able to arrest the culprits behind Sharath's murder even after a month, how can they protect the people?" he questioned.
Former MLC Monappa Bhandary said, "The failure to arrest the culprits in Sharath murder case even after a month of the incident reflects the utter failure of the state government. Sharath was murdered despite Section 144 being clamped in the district. Even in Pawan Raj murder and Chiranjeevi attempt-to-murder cases, so far not a single accused has been arrested. Police showed their credibility in tracing the culprits behind the murders of Jaleel Karopady and Ashraf Kalayi, but why not in Sharath's case? This indicates the police are under the clutches of politicians."
HJV leader Sathyajit Suratkal said, "Dakshina Kannada is on the boil for the past two months. Hindu leaders and organizations are being targeted and fake case being registered against them. Government is supporting organizations such as Popular Front of India (PFI). Earlier several cases pertaining to PFI were withdrawn, and even though they are involved in several anti-social activities, no case has been registered. No culprits have been arrested in the Kalladka incident, Pawan Raj murder or Chiranjeevi attempt-to-murder. When Ashraf's funeral procession was carried out, a youth was attacked just because he belonged to the Hindu community. During Sharath's funeral procession, even though stones were pelted, the police raided the residences of Hindu leaders over their involvement. Government is misusing the police department and pressuring the officers."
The hunger strike is expected to go on till evening.
Bajrang Dal leader Sharan Pumpwell, Diwakar, Kishore Kumar, and others were present.
Watch Video: