Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Feb 15: Citizens from in and around Konaje, as well as activists supported by different political outfits and other organizations, staged a protest and blocked the road in front of Konaje police station near here on the night of Monday February 14. Their ire however, was not against the station house officer there. They were demanding for the retention of Konaje sub-inspector (SI) of police, Sunil B Patil.

Patil has been working in Konaje police station since about a year. He is said to be an efficient and popular officer, who has succeeded in taking action against illegal goings on in the jurisdiction of his police station. Over 500 people representing various organizations rushed to the police station immediately after coming to know that the police officer has received his transfer order on Monday afternoon, to protest against his transfer. The people, who gathered in front of the police station, demanded for the presence of senior police officials and people’s representatives to explain reasons for the SI’s sudden transfer.

The protestors suspect that the SI has been transferred because of prompt and strict action against illegal sand transporters in the region. They said that they will call for a bandh within the jurisdiction of this police station in places like Asaigoli and Mudipu, if the transfer order of Patil is not withdrawn immediately.

Panambur assistant commissioner of police, Puttamadaiah, and Manjunath, in-charge inspector of Mangalore rural police station came to the spot and requested the protestors to withdraw stir.