FIR against forest officials as Bhatkal youngsters allege torture in custody
The complainant who was in the custody has bruises all over his body
Bhatkal: An FIR has been registered against more than 20 forest officials including Bhatkal Sub-division ACF and RFO for allegedly harassing and threatening two people from Bhatkal who were picnicking in Bedkoor village near Manki.
An FIR in Manki Police Station is booked under section 143, 147, 149, 341, 324, 504, 506 against over 20 forest officials including ACF Balachandra, RFO Shankar Gowda, Manki RFO, Santosh, Ravi and others.
The complainant Umair Saeed Ruknuddin stated, he along with his friend was on his way to Bhatkal from Bedkoor after picnicking overnight in the village when he was stopped by the forest official who charged allegations of animal hunting on the duo and took them to their office.
The complainant Umer Saeed Rukunuddin, in his complaint further stated that he was wrongly subjected to harassment and third degree torture in unlawful confinement by the officials.
“We were taken pictures with remains of the animals hunted by somebody else to make a point that we hunted the animals. We were given third degree treatment in the custody and were subjected to torture for whole day” Umair told Vartha Bharati in a Mangaluru hospital where he was admitted for treatment.
“We were beaten black and blue, we were threatened that if we don’t confess about hunting the animals then acid will be poured on our private parts. One of the officers, Shankar Gowda also used his revolver to threaten us. He placed his revolver on my head, with three bullets and three empty slots and pulled the trigger posing threat to my life” Umair alleged.
“Steel rods, butt plates of rifle, bamboo sticks, revolvers, chairs and other stuffs were used to hit us when we were tied to our chairs” Umair added.
The following night, both the accused were taken to Bhatkal Taluka Hospital where the forest officials were given ‘Medically fit’ certificate of the duo by the duty doctor, a move termed as “Part of the conspiracy” by Umair’s uncle and prominent social worker of Bhatkal Nisar Ruknuddin (Top).
“From the hospital we were taken to Karwar jail where the authorities didn’t allow us inside the jail initially after looking at our condition, but the forest officials took the authorities in the confidence and we were kept in the jail. On next morning we were taken to Karwar District Hospital where the doctors said we needed immediate medical attention” Umair recalls.
After securing bail nearly one week after their arrest, Umair with the intention of filing complaint against the forest officials visited Bhatkal Taluka Hospital for medical tests. From there he was referred to Mangaluru hospital. After completing test in Mangaluru and receiving treatment Umair filed an FIR on Sunday 24 March.
The family and friends of Umair are now calling for strict actions against the accused officers and have went on to demand suspension of the officers for such treatment to the citizens.
“Forest officials of Bhatkal have been very rude and has displayed uncharacteristic temper over the last few years. They have been torturous to people for minor issues. They have mentally tortured people who are living on encroached lands from decades. These are the same officers involved in the whole thing, we don’t know what is the problem they have with people of Bhatkal. All this should be taken into account and appropriate action should be taken against them, this is not acceptable and against one’s civil and human rights” one of Umair’s close friend who was present in the hospital told Vartha Bharati.
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Make polling hours 6am-7pm for May 7 LS polls, Karnataka BJP urges EC citing heatwave
Bengaluru, May 3: Citing the ongoing heatwave in the state, Karnataka BJP on Friday petitioned the Election Commission with a request to modify the polling hours to the 6am-7pm period in the 14 parliamentary constituencies in the state that goes to polls on May 7.
Polling is currently scheduled to be held in the second phase in the state in 14 segments in the northern districts between 7am to 6pm on May 7.
"It has become hard to come out and vote between hours 10.00 to 17.00 due to uncontrollable heat. The average heat in those parts (north Karnataka) covering 14 parliamentary constituencies are between 37 and 42 degree (Celsius). The mercury is rising at an alarming level and it would become hard for the electors to come out and vote," BJP's petition said.
The petition highlighted the alarming rise in temperatures, which are expected to go beyond 40 degree Celsius, and also stated that the number of voters over the age of 40 is high and that they are vulnerable to the heatwave.
"To keep up the good spirit of voting, necessary action should be taken," the BJP petition urged the Election Commission, saying, "In this background, it is requested to modify the time of voting in the 14 parliamentary constituencies from 06.00 to 19.00 hours on May 7".
Polling was held between 7 am and 6 pm during Karnataka's first phase of the Lok Sabha polls in 14 constituencies on April 26.
