Pics: Adithya Aithal

Daijiworld Media Network – Brahmavar (TP)

Brahmavar, Dec 17: Hundreds of members of the Billava community, led by the Udupi District Billava Yuva Vedike, staged a protest at the Brahmavar police station on December 17, demanding the dismissal of officers who allegedly assaulted Akshata Poojary and registered a false FIR against her.

Protesters alleged that Akshata and her mother were victims of police excesses and that a false case had been filed against them. They warned they would not leave until an FIR was registered and insisted that the officers responsible be booked and dismissed.

Addressing the crowd, Praveen Poojary, president of the Billava Yuva Vedike, said an FIR should be registered based on Akshata’s complaint. He alleged that the police had filed a false FIR accusing her of obstructing official duty and claimed the officers’ visit to her house around 4 am was illegal. He demanded the immediate dismissal of the officers involved in the alleged assault.

The protest, accompanied by strong sloganeering, continued into the afternoon. Superintendent of Police Hariram Shankar arrived at the scene. He assured the protesters that a case would be registered against the five police officers involved and stated that the FIR would be filed within half an hour, providing reassurance to the agitators.

The assistant deputy commissioner urged the demonstrators to approach the District Police Complaints Authority, but they rejected the suggestion, insisting on immediate action. Additional police forces were deployed in view of the rising tension.