Vidya Dinker arrest – Swamiji urges CM to intervene

Vidya Dinker arrest – Swamiji urges CM to intervene

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, May 26, 2012: Shri Vishwesha Teertha Swamiji of Pejawar Mutt has demanded the intervention of the chief minister of Karnataka for the release of Vidya Dinker, human rights activists, and four others who were involved in an intense protest against MSEZ over the issue of dumping mud into River Phalguni.

The swamiji told reporters that he has spoken to CM D. V. Sadananda Gowda about the arrest and urged him to intervene in the matter.

Stating that he does not yet know the circumstances leading to the arrest, the swamiji said that he has informed the CM that Ms. Dinker is innocent. He said that the CM has promised to discuss the issue with N. Yogish Bhat, MLA of Mangalore and deputy speaker of the state legislative assembly. The CM is in Mumbai at present, he said.

Ms. Dinker and four other protestors were arrested on grounds of using abusive language against N. S. Channappa Gowda, the deputy commissioner of DK. The five had visited the DC to ask him why he had not visited the places near Kuloor affected by the dumping of mud in River Phalguni. The five have been remanded to judicial custody till June 7.

Several human rights organizations have condemned the arrest. Hanumanth Kamath of Nagarika Hitarakshana Vedike said that the district administration clearly intends to prevent people from protesting against injustice. He voiced his opinion that there was no need for the DC, a government representative who ought to serve people, to book the five protestors under a non bailable offence. He said that he should have understood their cause.

Muneer Katipalla, president of the DK district unit of the DYFI, said that the arrest will not prevent them from fighting against injustice.

P. B. D’Sa, president of the district unit of the People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), said that the DC’s failure to keep his promise would have annoyed the local people.

Among others who condemned the arrest are B. Madhava, district secretary of the Communist Party of India (CPI), Ivan D’Souza, vice president of the DK Pradesh Congress Committee; and Seena Shetty, the social worker.

Meanwhile, the DC visited the affected areas on Friday and surveyed the situation. He said that steps will be taken to raise the left bank of River Phalguni and construct a parapet wall on the left bank.