Pics: Spoorthi Ullal/Abhijith N Kolpe
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)
Mangaluru, Dec 17: Popular Front of India (PFI) activists staged a massive protest ‘SP Chalo’ here at Clock Tower on Friday December 17, condemning the police for resorting to lathi- charge during a peaceful protest outside Uppinangady police station. The protestors also urged the release innocent activists who are in police custody.
PFI took out a rally from Hampankatta circle to Clock Tower. A large crowd gathered raising slogans against the police.
The police had barricaded the area near Clock Tower, townhall and Hampankatta. Security was also beefed up.
The protestors were stopped at Clock Tower from moving further towards the police superintendent’s office.
The protestors demanded the suspension the police personnel who is allegedly responsible for the violence at Uppinangady police station.
The protestors handed over their memorandum to superintendent of police Rishikesh Sonawane who arrived to the spot.
Addressing the gathering, SDPI leader Shafi Bellare said, “If the public have to bring the accused to police station, why are the police personnel drawing salary from the government? T D Nagraj provoked by saying pistol and lathi has no religion. The so called police could not take any action against the one who gave openly threatened the deputy commissioner.”
Earlier, police commissioner N Shashi Kumar had denied permission for procession beyond the Clock Tower.
Police deployed more than 600 personnel which includes 4 KSRP, 5 CAR, 6 ACP, 16 inspectors and 32 sub inspectors.