ANF men harassing villagers in Belthangady, allege Dalit representatives

ANF men harassing villagers in Belthangady, allege Dalit representatives

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Nov 3,2014: Complaints poured in with regard to alleged harassment of tribals by ANF personnel in villages of Belthangady, during the SC ST grievance redressal meet held here on November 2, Sunday.

Speaking at the meeting, Vittal Malekudiya of Adivasi Hakkugala Samanvaya Samithi alleged that ANF personnel visited people living in Kudremukh National Park limits and were pressurising them to move out after accepting the government’s rehabilitation package.

Shekhar L, a Dalit rights activist from Belthangady also charged the ANF of terrorising innocent villagers. He said the ANF men enquired shopkeepers about the groceries purchased by villagers. Any relatives visiting the village are questioned for long, he said.

However, SP Dr Sharanappa tried to  convey the message that the ANF men were only doing enquiries and that it was not harassment.

Later, speaking to the media, the SP said the  District Police Department has requested the government to provide two platoons of ANF to the district  so that it can rush to the aid of    Naxal affected areas in the event of any untoward incident.

He also informed that  the ANF camp at Belthangady has   been provided the services of 15 more constables to  keep track on the movement of Naxals.