Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Feb 21: Former mayor K Ashraf has condemned the statement given by Mangaluru south MLA Vedavyas Kamath in the state assembly with regards to the anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protests and the subsequent police firing that took place in which two people lost their lives.

In a press release, Ashraf said, "Social media was abuzz with messages about the protest against CAA on December 19. That is why section 144 was imposed in the city. On December 19 there were only 100 people on the afternoon of December 19 when the protest started. This turned into thousands towards the evening. Police requested the public several times not to hold protest as section 144 in under action.

K Ashraf (left) and Vedavyasa Kamath

"When the police could not control the mob they called former mayor Ashraf to the spot and tried to pacify the protesters. During this time stones were hurled at Ashraf. This complete statement is given by Kamath in the assembly. However, police called me at the last stage of the protest. During that time, many people got injured due to tear gas shell explosion. Kamath further said that Muslim police officers Amanullah and Sharif were sent to pacify the protesters. However, Shantaram and Sharif did not try to pacify the protesters but started to fire suddenly.

"Kamath also said that stones were brought in tempo for the protest. These are the clips that are made by the police themselves. Kamath also said that the petrol bombs were manufactured four days ago. This is completely false. He also said that hundreds of vehicles are stoned. This is also not correct.

"Statement of Kamath that there were four to five barricades in Bunder road on the day is far from the truth. There is barricade for every 10 meters and tires were fired and put on the road and bombs were thrown as per Kamath. These all statements are not true.

"The owner of the gun shop, which the police say that the protesters tried to loot, has issues clarification in that regard. Kamath has given false account of the whole event. Let him show the video clip in which according to him hundreds of houses on the way were stoned. Let him produce the proof that protesters arrived from Kerala. The lies which Kamath has said in the assembly has spoiled the sanctity of Vidhan Soudha,” the press release stated.