Mangaluru Police bars former Supreme Court Judge from holding press conference; block venues
Justice Gopala Gowda was to address the press conference regarding December 19 violence in city
Mangaluru: Listening Post People’s Tribunal constituted by Indian Social Institute, Bangalore, Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR) Karantaka Chapter, and ‘Samvidhanadha Haadiyalli’ allegedly was blocked from holding press conference in the city by local police. The move comes as a surprise as the people’s tribunal was chaired by former Supreme Court Judge, Justice Gopala Gowda.
The tribunal had on Monday heard deposition from several eye witnesses, media persons, families of the two killed in police firing and those injured in the police action on December 19 clashes and violence during anti-CAA protest in the city.
On Tuesday, after visiting hospitals and the venues where protest was held and police action was initiated, the tribunal had called a press conference at a private hotel in the city to present its report to the media. But the organisers were told by the hotel management that the police had asked them to not allow the press conference to be held in the hotel.
Subsequently, the organisers booked another private hotel for the press conference. Much to the surprise of the organisers, the second venue also refused to let the press conference held in its premises after initially agreeing. This went on for at least ten private hotels before the organisers and Justice Gopala Gowda decided to cancel the press conference.
Speaking to the reporters outside a private hotel in the city, Sugata Srinivasaraju, senior journalist and one of three members of the tribunal added that it was unfortunate that the police did not allow the press conference to be held particularly because a former Supreme Court Judge was to lead the press conference.
“It is sad and unfortunate that things have panned out this way. If a former Supreme Court Judge is being barred from holding a press conference then it is very alarming, we can imagine how the police will treat common people” Sugata said.
Asked if the police had conveyed any official communication to the organisers, another member of the tribunal and former public prosecutor of Karnataka, BT Venkatesh noted that there was no communication between the organisers and police. But it was on record that the police had pressurized the hotel managements to not allow the press conference to be held in their respective hotels.
“We did not come here to create disturbance or to tweak the peace and harmony of the region. We came here to organise a people’s tribunal where anybody can come and depose. Even the police personnel could have come and deposed before the tribunal. It was not for some specific group of people” Sugata added.
BT Venkatesh further added that the documented report will now be released to the media about the findings of the tribunal and that no more press conference will be held.
Venkatesh also noted that the local police had even tried to stall the proceedings of the tribunal on Monday when people were deposing before it. He added that the police had pressurized the hotel management to stall the proceedings following which the venue of the tribunal had to be changed.
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Ranji Trophy final: Paras Dogra headbutts Karnataka substitute during heated Day 2 in Hubballi
Huballi: Tempers flared on Day 2 of the Ranji Trophy final as Jammu and Kashmir captain Paras Dogra was involved in an ugly on-field incident with Karnataka substitute fielder KV Aneesh at the Hubballi Cricket Ground.
The confrontation took place in the 101st over of Jammu and Kashmir’s first innings. Dogra, who was batting with Kanhaiya Wadhawan during a key partnership, edged a delivery from Prasidh Krishna for a boundary. Soon after, he exchanged words with Aneesh, who was fielding at forward short leg.
What began as a verbal exchange quickly turned physical. In a sudden outburst, Dogra moved towards Aneesh and headbutted him while still wearing his helmet. The act left players and officials stunned, forcing the umpires to intervene immediately.
Senior Karnataka batter Mayank Agarwal stepped in and confronted Dogra, while the umpires worked to calm the situation. At the end of the over, Dogra apologised, but Aneesh appeared visibly upset and did not accept the apology on the field.
The tension did not stop there. Agarwal and KL Rahul were also seen engaging in sharp exchanges with the Jammu and Kashmir skipper. Moments later, another heated moment unfolded when Karnataka pacer Vijaykumar Vyshak and Wadhawan came face to face after accidental contact during a run. Teammates and officials again had to step in to prevent matters from escalating further.
Despite the dramatic scenes, Jammu and Kashmir continued to stay in control of the match. The team crossed the 350-run mark in the first innings, building on the strong start made on Day 1.
Earlier, Shubham Pundir had anchored the innings with a well-made 121. Yawer Hassan contributed 88 runs, while Abdul Samad added 61, putting Karnataka under sustained pressure in the final.
