PFI activists lathi charged for holding protest, several arrested

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, April 4, 2017: Police resorted to lathi charge at the activists of the Popular Front of India(PFI) outside Mangaluru Police Commissioner’s office on April 04, Tuesday morning demanding justice in the case of Ahmed Khureshi who was hospitalised after the arrest.

The activists were protesting alleged police atrocity against Ahmed Qureshi, resident of Katipalla, who was arrested in connection with the murder of Prakash Poojary under Suratkal police limits. The activists also demanded that PFI district vice-president Khader Kulai, who is another accused in the case and is absconding, should not be arrested.

 

 

 

Khureshi’s parents  allege that his kidneys were damaged due to physical torture by City Crime Branch in the name of investigation  .The protestors  demand immediate release of the Khureshi and  suspension of the cops responsible for this .
 

Commissioner of Police, M. Chandra Sekar said the activists had not obtained any prior permission from the police to conduct the protest. “I’m always open for democratic ways of protests, including against the police. However, it should be done in accordance with the law,” he said.

 

Unexpectedly activists gathered in front of Police commioner’s office at around 10.30 a.m. blocking the traffic and did not move despite repeated requests. Instead, they began pelting stones on the police and on adjacent government offices, Mr. Chandrasekar said. In the protest, ACPs Uday Nayak and Shruthi, South Inspector Belliappa and four other constables were injured. “We had to use minimal force to disperse the unruly crowd,” Mr. Chandrasekar said.

The Commissioner said such incidents are a cause for concern and noted that about six months ago, PFI activists had made a similar attempt in connection with an incident reported from Moodushedde. The police would not allow anyone to take law into their own hands and would respond suitably. The activists would be booked under relevant provisions of the penal code as well as the police act, he said.

Seven police personnel, including two assistant commissioners and one inspector, were injured in stone throwing and manhandling by PFI activists.  One of the PFI activists received head injuries during the lathi charge. Police arrested 72 activists and detained them at Urva Police Station.

Disputing PFI’s claim of police atrocity against Qureshi, Mr. Chandrasekar said the accused had stated before the magistrate on March 28 that the injury he sustained was due to a road accident that occurred a couple of days ago. He was sent to judicial custody immediately by the magistrate and when he got admitted to hospital, the accused was still in judicial custody, not under police custody, he added.