Dalit leader Demands Arrest of PSI Rafiq and suspension of Annamalai – SP Clarifies

Udupi: “We want PSI Rafiq to be arrested and the suspension of SP Annamalai K” said Dejappa Convener of Dalit Hitarakshana Samiti, Hiriyadka unit. He was speaking at a protest organized by DSS in front of the Clock Tower Udupi over the alleged assault of Kiran and Sudarshan of SC community by PSI Rafiq of Hiriyadka police station.

Dejappa further said that PSI Rafiq has assaulted Kiran from the SC community for no reason. Kiran was working in Sadhananda Shetty’s house, PSI Rafiq while chasing people from the polling station entered Sadhananda Shetty’s house and assaulted Kiran.

Kiran was then admitted to the Government Hospital, Ajjarkad. “I interacted with SP Annamalai who said that Rafiq was a young officer and could not be suspended”, when the members of DSS intervened and warned him of holding protest, SP met Kiran and registered a case on Rafiq.

SI Rafiq has also assaulted Sudarshan for not wearing the helmet and has also seized his vehicle. Dejappa said that there are many complaints against PSI Rafiq, which are not effectively followed up by the police department.

“We demand the arrest of PSI Rafiq along with the suspension of SP Annamalai K”. If the Police will not arrest PSI Rafiq in 10 days we will hold a protest in front of the Chief Minister’s residence, he added.

Shanker Madibettu, Suresh, Ramesh, Babu, Babitha and others were present.

Clarifying on the allegations on him by the Dalit Hitarakshana Samiti, Annamalai K said that, a case has been registered against Suresh Naik and others including Kiran who is accused number 8. The 10 accused were violating Section 144 by entering the polling booth and were indulging in the campaign. The PSI who intervened asked the accused to move out of the polling booth. When the accused continued to violate Section 144, they were subjected to lathi charge using mild force.

One of the accused Kiran was then admitted to the Government Hospital, Ajjarkad. He then filed a complaint against PSI Rafiq. The complaint was registered under IPC section 324 against PSI Rafiq. Both the cases are now handled by Kundapur CPI and investigation is on.

Later on February 22, PSI Rafiq while inspecting vehicles, stopped Sudarshan who was driving recklessly and a case was registered in the Hiriyadka Police Station. Sudarshan later got admitted in the Government Hospital, Ajjarkad and filed a petition against PSI Rafiq. The case is now handled by Udupi CPI and further investigation is on.

The tussle between Dejappa, convener of DSS and Hiriyadka PSI Rafiq is on from 1 year. Dejappa is booked under IPC Section, 354, 420, 504, 506, 466, 468, 471 in Hiriyadka PS limits. He has also filed a complaint against PSI Rafiq with the Karnataka Human Rights Commission, which is probed by District Superintendent of Police, and the enquiry report has been submitted.