Yahya Hallare

Daijiworld Media Network – Bhatkal (EP)

Bhatkal, Dec 30: Bhatkal BJP unit here held a rally holding police responsible for unpleasant incidents that happened during peaceful protests in Honnavar, Kumta, Sirisi and Karvar condemning the death of Paresh Mesta. They urged to stop arrests of innocent people and withdraw cases registered against them.

BJP activists who gathered in front of a guest house here went on a rally till the office of tahsildar before submitting a petition to the governor through the tahsildar. They said that the police should have shown restraint during protests in different taluks. “Their unnecessary lathi charge made the situation tense. Arresting and registering cases such as under section 307 against innocent people, students and laborers is condemnable. Though peace has returned to the district, police are entering houses and arresting young men. The case registered against MP Shobha Karandlaje is also due to political vendetta. The government should withdarw the case at the earliest. The government and district administration are using police department for politics. Paresh Mesta was murdered during communal unrest. His family should be paid suitable compensation. Four suspects out of five who were going about holding deadly weapons on the day of murder are still not arrested. CPI Kumarswamy who is responsible for it should be suspended immediately. Suspects who hurled stones on protesters and temples should be arrested at the earliest,” they said.

“Legal action should be taken against police who have damaged public property. While allotting shops in Bhatkal, those who were running shops should be provided the shops. Legal action should be taken against those who were responsible for the death of Ramachandra Naika.

“Kavya incident in Magodu, Honnavar should be re-investigated,” they stated in the petition submitted to the governor through the tahsildar.

Former minister Shivananda Naika, former MLA J D Naika, Govinda Naika, Bhatkal BJP president Rajesh Naika, Krishna Naika Asarakeri, N D Kharvi, and Vasanth Kharvi spoke addressing the protesters.

Sunil B Naika, Parameshwar Devadiga, Govardhan Naika, Subraya Devadiga, Laxman Naika, Mohan Naika Sarpanakatte, Hanmantha Naika, Shivani Shantarama, Dhanyakumar Jain, Dasa Naika Talagodu, Ramachandra Naika, Pramod Joshi, Venkayya Bhairumane, Nagesh Devadiga and others were present. Police and RAF staff were deployed all along the rally for security.