Alleged police atrocity over defamatory banner: Blame game continues

Team Udayavani, May 19, 2023, 11:23 AM IST

Puttur: Following the complaint filed by Venunath Narimogaru, the father of Avinash, one of the Hindu activists injured in the police brutality, a case has been registered at the Town police station here against the Puttur DySP, PSI, and PC of Sampya station.

There was widespread outrage over the police’s action against the accused who purportedly put up the defamatory banner offering respectful “homage” to BJP state president Nalin Kumar Kateel and Former chief minister D V Sadananda Gowda.

Avinash, who was seriously injured, told the media that the situation might have turned for the worse if Arun Kumar Puthila had not arrived at the police station that day. There may have been a death in the police lock-up, he alleged.

Yatnal to visit Puttur today!

It is learnt that Bijapur City MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal told Puthila over a phone call that he will arrive in Puttur on May 19.

Congress instigated it, says Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat 

Meanwhile, Sangh Parivar leader Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat alleged that police brutality was instigated by Congress.  Speaking to the media after visiting the injured youth at the hospital, Bhat said that this incident was an example of what happens when a government changes. He condemned the police action as “unforgivable” and demanded an investigation to reveal the powers who instigated the brutality.

MLA Ashok Rai blames BJP

At the same time, local Congress MLA Ashok Kumar Rai strongly denied Prabhakar Bhat’s allegations. It’s an internal conflict of the BJP and it is wrong of Prabhakar Bhat to divert the blame onto Congress, he said.

He blamed the BJP leaders for the police atrocities and added that the names of those who pressured the officials will be disclosed in a couple of days’ time.

Police begin probe

On Thursday, Dakshina Kannada SP Dr. Vikram Amte and Additional SP Kumar paid a visit to the Puttur DySP’s office and took stock of the situation. Bantwal DySP has been entrusted with the responsibility of investigating the incident. Meanwhile, the 3 police officials have been suspended.