Mangaluru, Mar .01, 2016: In connection with the incident in which a few accused, who were arrested relating to the attack on a journalist, and who secured bail the same day, went to the residence of the complainant and posed threats to him again, journalists from the district held protest in front of Uppinangady police station on Monday February 29.

BTV reporter, Bharat, accused station house officer of the police station, Timmappa Naik, of joining hands with anti social forces, as a result of which justice has remained a mirage for the aggrieved. He sought legal action against the guilty police official.

The protestors alleged that the police had treated the case involving ganja mafia lightly. A journalist from a Kannada newspaper, 'Jayakirana' named Asif Saralikatte, had been allegedly beaten up by the gang for exposing their activities. Bharat charged Naik of joining hands with the accused by booking the guilty, who are already identified as rowdy sheeters, under sections involving minor offences.

TV9 reporter, Rajesh, who found that the police have sided with the accused by charging them under minor offences, said that they even now have the chance to add sections involving stronger punishments. He said that the accused can be sent to jail by registering suo moto case for trading in ganja, flashing swords in public place, and disturbing public peace. He asked the police to get complaint from Asif again and take suitable steps against the accused, failing which he warned that the protest would be intensified.

Irshad of Samaya News too came down heavily on Uppinangady police for trying to deny freedom of expression of journalists. He charged the station house officer of supporting anti socials. Shibi Dharmasthala of Vartha Bharati said that the police action in supporting undesirable elements has made journalists, who bring out hidden wrongs, to work without protection. He sought the intervention of the superintendent of police to hold impartial investigation and take steps to protect freedom of journalists.

Editor of Kannada publication, 'Jaya Kannadamma', Deviprasad, asserted that the goondas and police would not be allowed to work in tandem. He wondered what would be the condition of common people if journalists are made to face such atrocities. He warned that with the support of general public, police station would be mobbed if the policemen fail to take proper steps.

Vice president of Dakshina Kannada District Working Journalists union, Sukhesh, and president of the union's Bantwal taluk unit, Mounesh Vishwakarma, addressed the protestors. Puttur assistant superintendent of police, Rishvanth, came to the venue, heard the grievances of the protestors, assured them that his department would not allow anti social elements to subdue journalists. He also obtained a statement from Asif, who was present there and promised to take strict action.

Mangaluru: Journalists stage protest against attack on reporter Asif by PFI members

Similar protest was also held by journalists in front of the office of the deputy commissioner of Dakshina Kannada district at Mangaluru on Monday. President of Dakshina Kannada Working Journalists Union, Anand Shetty, vice president, Sukesh Kumar, general secretary, Srinivas Nayak Indaje,and Harish Rai addressed the protestors. The journalists who registered their anger at the soft corner police department had exhibited towards the attackers, going by the fact that they were arrested after a few days since a complaint was made, sought stringent action against the guilty.

Condemning attack on reporter Asif by the PFI members, the journalists of Mangaluru city led by DK journalists association and Karnataka journalists association staged a protest in front of DC's office on Monday February 29.

First to address the protesters, senior journalist Tharanath said, “Journalist Asif who reported against the Ganja sale was assaulted by goondas and it is shocking that the assaulters have been freed and are roaming fearlessly.”

“The condition of law and order is shocking. We urge the police department and the district administration to arrest the culprits,” he added.

Speaking on the occasion, journalist Mohammed Arif Padubidri said, “What was the mistake of journalist Asif who reported against the sale of Ganja? The police instead of punishing the ganja peddlers are protecting them. They must act immediately and arrest the culprits.”

Speaking on the occasion, former president of DK working journalists association, Hareesh Rai said, “We condemn the attack on Jayakirana reporter Asif. In recent days incidents of assaults on journalists are happening repeatedly. The freedom of press is attacked consistently. The Dakshina Kannada working journalists association strongly condemns this and urges the SP of the district to arrest the assaulters and make way for the fearless atmosphere for journalists.”

Dakshina Kannada working journalist’s association president Jagannath Shetty Bala, vice president Sukesh, district vice president of Karnataka journalists association Shivasharan Shetty, treasurer Hakeem Bolar were present. An appeal was also given to SP and to DC in this regard.