Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Jul 17: Prasanna, assistant health inspector of the city municipal council here, said in a complaint filed with the police that Yogish Salian, municipal councillor representing Vadabhandeshwara ward, arrived at the municipal office at around 11.15 am on Tuesday July 16 and all of a sudden, punched him in the right eye with his fist.

It is said that the councillor has grouse relating to underground drainage problem affecting his ward. Since the last some days, he reportedly was following up the issue with the said official, and the exchange of words culminated in the above attack.

Prasanna said that he was supervising work being done by some workers elsewhere when he got a call from Yogish. "I told him that I would come to the office, and did so. He then arrived at the office and unexpectedly attacked me," he explained. A case under the provisions of law relating to obstructing government servant from discharging his duties was registered in the police station here.

Prasanna, whose right eye suffered the impact of the attack, continues to be treated as inpatient in the government district hospital here.

Both the BJP and Congress leaders who visited Prasanna at the hospital condemned the incident. Former minister, Pramod Madhwaraj, said he had asked the district superintendent of police (SP) to take suitable action against the guilty. A delegation of Congressmen handed over a memorandum to the SP in tis respect.

BJP district president, Mattaru Ratnakar Hegde, who also visited the hospital, said that this act deserves to the condemned and that his party supports the official. He added that if the need is felt, arrangement to provide treatment to the official in a private hospital would be made and the party will take action against the erring municipal councillor.