Mangaluru, May 16, 2015: Prakash, a Dalit HPCL dealer who was on a protest since May 13 alleging discrimination and unjust treatment by the HPCL officials for no fault of his, has on May 16, Saturday said he was withdrawing his protest temporarily for ten days following a promise by MLA JR Lobo who has assured justice after discussing the issue with the HPCL authorities.
Speaking to reporters here on Saturday, Prakash who was on protest along with his wife and family members however alleged that the HPCL officials had lied during the meeting with MLA.
In a press communiqué issued, Prakash has accused two HPCL officials from Mangaluru of harassing him.” All dealings at my petrol bunk stopped due to the officers named Mahesh Kumar and Naveen Kumar MG,” the release said. He also added that the pressure from the two forced him to work with another partner named Dasharath, who he said was introduced to him by the two officers. He said he knew Dasharath only through the two officers and he worked with him as partner for three months without any documents regarding the partnership.
He also claimed that he had nothing to do with the Rs 25 lakh due which the HPCL claims he owes to the company. Prakash further stated that he had all the documents to defend himself and prove his claims.
“ Despite filing an FIR against the two officers, no investigation was done,” Prakash has alleged.
Keshav, SP Anand, Premanath, Vishwas Kumar Das and other leaders of the Dalita Sangharsha Samithi were present.