Daijiworld Media Network - Kasargod (SP)
Kasargod, Sep 23: Relating to the disturbances in which the policemen were involved in a pitched battle with a group of young, stone-pelting bikers on Sunday September 20 on the eve of Eid, the policemen have registered cases against about 500 citizens. The cases were booked on the basis of a complaint given by deputy superintendent of police, Abdul Gafoor.
In the said disturbances, eight policemen and three journalists were injured. 40 two-wheelers, two police buses, four police jeeps, a KSRTC bus and several shops suffered damages. The gang of youngsters involved with the disturbances left a trail of destruction on their way back. A STD booth owned by Rajendra in Pulkur in the town, a house belonging to Janardan, name board of Bhagawati School and Bhagawati Club, name board of Pulkur Goddess Mahadevi temple and a toddy shop in Periyadka were damaged in stone pelting by the irate mob.
As per a call given by the Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samiti, merchants closed their shops from 6 am till evening on Tuesday, in protests against the alleged forcible closure of the shops and manhandling of the shop workers by the policemen, in the town.
The journalists took out a procession on Tuesday, in protest against the police assault on journalist Rahman Tayalangady during the violence, when he was discharging his duties, in the town. The protest meeting held at the Press Club here before the procession, was addressed by veteran journalist and former president of the Journalists Union K M Ahmed, present president C B John, secretary A Shaffi and vice-president Unnikrishnan. Two other journalists, Shaffi Teruvatt and Zubair too were injured in the incident.
There are allegations that the policemen had taken the intelligence inputs that a plan to create disturbances in the town had been hatched, lightly. The policemen had banned bike rally, based on this information. But after MLA C T Ahammedali met the home minister and exerted pressure, the ban had been lifted, at the instance of the home minister, it is learnt.