Mangaluru: PFI activists protest against "Police brutality" in Uppinangady
Mangaluru: Protesting the lathi-charge by police at Uppinangady on Tuesday, the District Committee of Popular Front of India (PFI) organized a protest in Mangaluru on Friday.
Although the City Police Commissioner had denied permission for the ‘Walk to SP’s Office’ or the rally, the PFI activists went ahead with their event and walked from Hampankatte to the Clock Tower, it is learned.
Reportedly, the protesters were stopped by the police near the clock Tower. PFI leaders then appealed for them to be allowed to walk to the SP’s office and also stated that the Uppinangady police had indulged in police brutality and protested through sit-in demonstrations demanding justice concerning the issue.
District SP Rishikesh Sonawane arrived at the protest site and received the petition from the protesters. The SP then addressed the gathering assuring that investigations and appropriate action would be undertaken in the case. The Mangaluru Police Commissioner Shashikumar also arrived at the site and took cognizance of their appeal.
SDPI Leader Shafi Bellare addressed the gathering and said, “This is a people’s movement against the Uppinangady police who displayed their cruelty. If innocents are subjected to oppression, such struggles too will continue. Police themselves make claims that the batons/ lathis of police do not have any religion or creed. However, the several incidents that have occurred in the district indicate that the batons/lathis of the district police have a religion, creed, and political affiliation”, he said.
Questioning the police, he asked, “Why haven’t the police taken any action against the Sangh Parivar’s leaders who insulted the SI by threatening to beat him and disregarded the District Commissioner? Why have you been silent when Trishul/Tridents were being distributed openly?” he emphasized.
Shafi Bellare also demanded that a sitting judge must investigate to determine how many police personnel within the district police force possess a Sanghi mindset.
“The police must withdraw the false cases registered by them. The guilty police personnel must be suspended, and the government must compensate the injured in the hospitals by taking over their medical expense”, the PFI listed their demands before the government.
PFI Leaders A. K. Ashraf, Ijaz Ahmed, Ayyub Agnadi, Corporator Muneeb Bengre, SDPI National Leader Alphonso Franko, and SDPI District President Abubakker Kulai led the protest.
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Mamata visits Bhabanipur EVM strong room, warns against counting irregularities
Kolkata (PTI): West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee early Friday warned against any attempt to tamper with the counting process, hours after she visited an EVM strong room in Bhabanipur, alleging possible malpractice.
Banerjee, who emerged around 12:07 am after spending nearly four hours at the counting centre for her Bhabanipur constituency housed in Sakhawat Memorial School in south Kolkata, said only one person would be allowed inside the designated counting area.
"Either the candidate or one agent can stay upstairs. I have also suggested installation of a CCTV camera for the media," she told reporters.
Stressing the need for transparency, she said, "It is essential to maintain transparency. People’s votes must be protected. I rushed here after receiving complaints. The central forces initially did not allow me to enter."
Sounding a stern note ahead of the May 4 counting, she added, "If there is any plan to tamper with the counting process, it will not be tolerated."
On Thursday evening, Banerjee had reached the Bhabanipur Assembly segment counting centre, which houses the strong room for EVMs used in the April 29 polling, citing suspicion of tampering with the machines.
She entered the premises along with her election agent and remained inside for hours, even as Kolkata Mayor and TMC candidate from the Kolkata Port segment Firhad Hakim reached the spot but could not meet her.
"I reached here upon learning that the chief minister has arrived. But I couldn’t meet her since she was already inside the premises, exercising her right as a candidate to visit strong rooms. I wasn’t allowed there. I will not be able to confirm what exactly is transpiring inside," Hakim said.
The development coincided with protests by TMC candidates Kunal Ghosh and Shashi Panja outside the Khudiram Anushilan Kendra in north Kolkata, where they staged a sit-in alleging irregularities and possible tampering of EVMs stored in strong rooms, leading to face-offs between TMC and BJP supporters.
Earlier in a video message, Banerjee had urged party leaders, workers and polling agents to maintain a 24-hour vigil on EVM strong rooms, alleging that the BJP could attempt to tamper with the machines before counting begins.
Her remarks come amid heightened political tension in the state following a fiercely contested Assembly election, with parties closely monitoring arrangements and raising concerns over transparency.
