Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (HB/EP)

Udupi, Mar 1: There were attempts to murder social worker, RTI activist Barkur Shankar Shanti. Udupi district Billawara Vedike members urged at Narayana Guru Auditorium to arrest the accused on Monday March 1.

Vedike president Pravin Poojary said that some miscreants locked Shankar Shanti in the kitchen of Barkur Kalikamba temple on February 20 and mercilessly assaulted him. Though an FIR is registered against the suspects, the police have not arrested them. The assaults have resulted in fractures and Shankar Shanti is unable to work in the future. His family has come to the streets. Despite that, the police have not taken suitable action. The Billawa community will gather people and stage protests if the suspects are not arrested within the next two days, he said.

Dr Ashok Raj Jain of the clan of Aluva said that Shankar Shanti had never raised his voice against another religion or community. He only exposed the irregularities in road safety, road works, attack on Barkur Jain shrine and superstition of a priest at Hosala garadi, he said.

The attack on him for having taken action by means of a roadside banner about public inconvenience is extremely low level human behaviour. Attempts to murder him are a tragedy of democracy. Inhuman assaults taking law into hands is an insult to the police. Tahsildars in Uppinangady and Beltangady are requested by appeals to arrest the guilty. Shankar Shanti should be provided justice without bowing to pressure, urged Ashok Raj.

A request was handed over to Udupi DySP Sadananda Naik urging for action by Udupi district Billawa Yuva Vedike. The DySP assured that senior police officials are directed to take action against the suspects and will take sincere action.

Billawa community leader Dayananda Karkera, Madhava Bannanje, Sunder J Kalmady, Sulochana Damodar, Ani Ameen Bantwal and others were present.