Yahya Hallare
Daijiworld Media Network - Bhatkal (SP)
Bhatkal, Sep 18: BJP leaders from here clarified that they have no role in the stone pelting incident which happened during the protest programme organized opposite municipal office here last Thursday. Addressing a press conference held at a hotel here on Sunday September 17, former MLA, J D Naik, and local BJP unit president, Rajesh Naik, asserted that theirs was a peaceful protest.
"It is true that BJP leaders and activists took part in the protest organized to express solidarity with shopkeeper, Ramachandra Naik, who tried to kill himself. But BJP or its leaders have nothing to do with the unwarranted incident which happened during the protest. Now, police have been forcing themselves into homes of BJP activists, arresting people, besides torturing them," they added.
Our activists are also being booked under assault and robbery provisions to see that they do not get bail. If personal presence of any of our party activists is needed for questioning, we are ready to escort them to the police station on our own. Instead of informing us which activists are needed for questioning, the police are committing atrocities on BJP activists. If this continues, we will call for Bhatkal bandh. We have already brought this issue to the notice of district and state BJP leaders and we are even prepared to fight against this injustice," they said.
They stated that no order whatsoever has so far been issued either by the court or by the government for eviction of traders from municipal complex. "We condemn the action of the authorities in forcibly evicting shopkeepers in the municipal building without serving notice or giving them time to vacate. This has the potential of robbing the shopkeepers of their livelihood and making it difficult for them to fend their families. Unseen hands have worked behind this conspiracy. We demand payment of compensation of ten lac rupees to the family of the victim, Ramachandra Naik, immediately. In case of failure, we will organize protest," they warned.
Former MLA, J D Naik, BJP taluk unit president, Rajesh Naik, BJP state council member, Parameshwar Devadiga, Dattatreya Naik, Kumar Hebale, Rama Naik, Kumar Naik, Sajan Naik, Krishna Mogera Honnegadde, Nagaraj Devadiga and several other leaders were present.
District head of Hindu Jagran Vedike, B S Pai, claimed that the state government has been indulging in suppressing the voices of leaders of Hindu organizations, and one such effort is also being undertaken in the town. He said if the government does not mend its ways, programmes like 'Bhatkal Chao' would be organized. He addressed a press conference here on Sunday evening.