Mangalore, February 22: Two local members of Sanatan Sanstha, a right wing Hindutva organization, which had allegedly involved in many terrorist activities across the country including Margao blast, have accused the officers of National Investigation Agency of violating their human rights under the pretext of interrogation.
Udaya Kumar and Vinaya Kumar, the brothers from Aniyooru under the limits of Neriya Garam Panchayat in Belthangady taluk on Wednesday appeared before media in the city accusing the two NIA officers - Seturam and Manu N K - of consistently harassing them since last four days.
The NIA team is in the district in connection with the ongoing probe into 2009 Goa blast. On October 16, 2009, a bomb blast rocked Margao town of Goa killing at least two persons and causing huge loss of property. CBI had revealed that it had found vital clues indicating Sanatan Sanstha's involvement in the blasts. Senior member of Sanatan Sanstha Jaiprakash, who hails from Kadaba in Puttur taluk was later named as one of the main accused in the case. Highly placed sources have confirmed that NIA had questioned Udaya and Vinaya, who are not only the activists of Sanatan Sanstha, but also close relatives of Jaiprakash, who is absconding. It is also suspected that the duo used to live with Jaiprakash in Goa in the past.
Addressing media persons the Kumar brothers said the two NIA officers were misusing their power to investigate the terrors suspects. “On February 20 the officers called us for investigation and made us remove all our clothes. They also sent police to our house and confiscated our driving license, election card, adhar card, our sister's marriage album, ration card, school certificates without giving them receipt of any kind”, they said.
The brothers complained that the officers threatened their father demanding all information and documents. “Out of fear our father handed over all documents asked by them”, they said.
They said that the officers demanded information regarding the terror suspect Jaiprakash and accused us that we too had a hand in the 2008 blast”, revealed the duo.
They alleged that during interrogation the officers pulled their hair hard and inhumanly beat them with fists and kicked, despite getting 'honest' answers. “We were not allowed to go to the toilet for nearly two and a half hours”, they said.
The duo also alleged the interrogators that on Tuesday they threatened to harass formers' sister. “After hearing their vulgar language, we are worried about the threats given by them. We have got the impression that these officers can go to any extent by misusing the law”, they said.
“We were threatened by these officers that we should not go out of the house. The government and private dispensaries denied treatment to us and refused to give us a medical certificate as proof to torture inflicted on us. We had to bear the agony of pain day and night”, they said. However, they failed to show any sign of torture on their body.
Fight Back
The brothers said that they would file complaint against the NIA officers Seturam and Manu with Central and State Human Rights Commission, for physical atrocities meted out to them and for mentally harassing their parents. “We also have decided to complain against them with the senior officers of NIA”
The Sanatan Sanstha members also said that it was the responsibility of the BJP led Karnataka state government to protect them from the hands of anti-terror investigators. “Due to the atrocities committed and threats given by the NIA officials our life is no more secure. Since we are the citizens of Karnataka the responsibility of protecting us lies with the state government”, they said.
Hindu Janajagruti Samiti activists Ramesh Nayak, Anil Kamath were also present in the press meet.
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