Puttur police brutality: DySP sent on compulsory leave; outrage continues

Team Udayavani, May 20, 2023, 10:00 AM IST

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Puttur: As the investigation into the police brutality against Hindu activists continues, Puttur DySP Veeraiah Hiremath has been sent on compulsory leave, top police department sources said.

Two more police personnel involved in the case, including a PSI and a police constable, have been suspended pending investigation. There has been considerable outrage against the police action, with many calling for the suspension of Puttur DySP.

The injured youths were accused of putting up the defamatory banner mocking BJP state president Nalin Kumar Kateel and Former chief minister D V Sadananda Gowda and offering them respectful “homage” for BJP’s defeat in Puttur.

A team led by Bantwal DySP is likely to investigate the actions of the police personnel to take the youths to the DySP’s office for interrogation.

As the case unfolds, several leaders visited the injured youths. On Friday, BJP leader Basanagouda Patil Yatnal visited the injured youths at the private hospital and inquired about their well-being. Former legislator Shakuntala T. Shetty, Sullia MLA Bhagirathi Murulya, and Vishwa Hindu Parishad’s Raghu Sakaleshpur also visited the injured youths.

Anguish against Mathandoor, Nalin

As Yatnal was visiting the injured youths, some activists expressed their anguish about Sanjeeva Mathandoor and Nalin Kumar Kateel. Even 4 days after the incident both leaders have not visited the victims; this is an insult to the brave Hindu activists. The activists blamed them for the incident.

Some activists gathered at the hospital stopped Ajit Rai Hosamane, who had accompanied Yatnal, from entering the hospital room where the injured are being treated.

Baitak in Panchavati

Leaders of the Hindu Jagarana Vedike held a ‘Baitak’ at the RSS Panchavati in Puttur to discuss the issue of police brutality.

Meanwhile, newly elected Puttur MLA Ashok Kumar Rai held a discussion with the police higher officials in Bengaluru and asked them to take strict action against the DySP and other police personnel involved in the incident.