Dalits accuse police of suppressing them, SP denies charges

Dalits accuse police of suppressing them, SP denies charges

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Aug 6, 2012 : SP Abhishek Goyal denied allegations leveled by Dalit leaders against the DK District Police that the police were suppressing Dalits who file atrocity cases in the police stations. This issue was raised at the monthly grievance meeting of the SC/ST at the SP’s office on Aug 5, Sunday.

 

L. Shekhar, president of Dalita Hakkugala Horata Samithi, said that Dinesh Naik, a Dalit youth, had filed a case against a few jeep drivers in Ujire at Belthangady Police Station one year back, but was once again attacked a week back. Although he filed another complaint against the assaulters, his assaulters filed a counter complaint against him that he had robbed them of Rs. 500. Mr. Shekhar accused the sub inspector of Belthangady of entertaining false counter cases against Dalits who file atrocity cases, adding that around 5 such counter cases have been filed against Dalits in Belthangady Police Station.

Mr. Shekhar also complained that the monthly SC/ST grievance meeting has not been held at the Belthangady Police Station for the past 6 months.

Responding to the situation, SP Goyal said that the police cannot be blamed for this as they have nothing to do with the filing of counter cases. On the other hand, they are duty bound to file counter cases, he said, adding that the guilty will be punished as atrocity cases are much stronger than robbery cases.

Speaking on the occasion, ASP Anucheth confirmed that the Belthangady police have not filed 4 - 5 counter cases, but only one this year.

P. Anand, president of the Dalit Sangharsha Samithi, demanded that the police must address Dalit issues immediately instead of making them wait all day.