Mohan Kuthar
Daijiworld Media Network –Mangaluru (EP)

Mangaluru, May 3: Popular Front of India (PFI) on Wednesday May 3 staged a protest against Konaje police inspector Ashok for allegedly torturing a youth from the minority community during investigation into the Karthik Raj murder case, and warned that of a massive protest in front of the Mangaluru city police commissionerate if the inspector was not suspended.

Addressing the protest, Shafi Bellare, state committee member of Popular Front of India (PFI) said, "We will assemble Muslim youths in front of the office of the police commissioner and hold a huge protest if action is not taken against Konaje police inspector for torturing a youth from the community on the pretext of investigating the Karthik Raj murder case.

He demanded immediate suspension of inspector Ashok who he said did not act even after political leaders provided necessary information.

"He is unfit to be an inspector. Police who have developed a habit of leaving for home at 2 am from police stations are targeting the houses of Muslims as they like. Shihab Manjeshwar was detained in the police station for seven days and sent to jail in a small case. He was again called to the police station and forced to sign that he was involved in the Karthik Raj murder. The department has to bow its head in shame because of corrupt police officers like inspector Ashok. The police department should take action against such officers before taking action against anti-social elements.

"Police entered the house of Farooq and hit his father with shoes, who is still unconscious. Attempt to murder case should be registered against Konaje police inspector. MP Nalin Kumar Kateel used the case to threaten that he would set fire to the district. May be he too is involved in the murder case," he said.

"Ahmed Qureshi (accused in a attempt-to-murder case who was allegedly tortured by police) lost his kidney after he was tortured in the Karthik Raj case. Even those who protested against the atrocity were harassed. There were attempts to target Muslims in the case of Uthappa who slipped and died at Madikeri and BJP leader who died in a family dispute at Shivamogga. But Jaleel Karopadi murder case in which a Hindu organization was involved has been blamed on the underworld," he alleged.

SKSM state committee leader Ismail Shafi said that Konaje inspector has registered cases against sand lorries and accumulated piles of sand in front of the police station. "There should be inquiry into how many cases the inspector has covered up. He should be assigned to look after police dogs instead of being retained as inspector," he said.

"Inspector Ashok was instrumental in registration of FIR and suspension of cop Srikala who was fighting for justice," he alleged.

"MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, instead of finding the real suspects, targeted a particular community. He is not fit to be a leader. His attempts to hide the truth and target a particular community has failed. This protest is just the beginning, we will intensify our struggle for justice in the days to come," he said.

Ismat Fajir of Komu Souharda Vedike, taluk panchayat former member Mustafa Malar, PFI district president Nawaz Ullal, SDPI Attavulla Jokatte, Iqbal Bellare, SDPI Ullal’s Harris Malar, SDPI Mangaluru constituency president Abbas Kinya, PFI district committee member Ashraf, AK border security forum’s Siddiq Talapady and others were present.