Mangalore, May 26: Expressing shock over the arrest of activist Vidya Dinker and four others by Mangalore police, Sri Vishvesha Tirtha Swamji of Pejawar Mutt has demanded the intervention of Karnataka chief minister in the case.
The swamiji told mediapersons in Koppal that he telephoned Mr. Gowda and informed him about the arrest. “I am yet to know what led to the arrest. But I told the Chief Minister that Ms. Dinker was innocent. He told me that he would speak with (Deputy Speaker and Mangalore MLA) N. Yogish Bhat. The Chief Minister is in Mumbai,” the Swamji said.
Ms. Dinker and four others were arrested on charges of obstruction and use of vulgar language against Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner N.S. Channappa Gowda. The five were among the group of people who had gone to know the reason as to why the Deputy Commissioner failed to keep up his promise and visit the place near Kuloor where MSEZ had dumped earth in the Phalguni river, All the five have been remanded to judicial custody till June 7.
Meanwhile, several activists have condemned the action. Hanumanth Kamath from Nagarika Hitarakshana Vedike said the arrest showed the administration's intention to shut the mouth of people who raised their voice against injustice.
“The Deputy Commissioner is the representative of the Government posted to serve people. There was no need for him to book them for non-bailable provisions. He should have considered the cause Ms. Dinker was espousing,” he said.
The Democratic Youth Federation of India district unit president Muneer Katipalla said action against Ms. Dinker and four others would not come in the way of the fight for the cause of the people.
Peoples Union for Civic Liberties district unit president P.B. D'Sa said there was bound to be resentment among residents when the Deputy Commissioner did not keep up his appointment.
Communist Party of India's district secretary B. Madhava said the arrest showed a dangerous trend of curbing voices raised against rightful cause. Dakshina Kannada Pradesh Congress Committee vice-president Ivan D'Souza said the public had every right to question the Deputy Commissioner.
It was the duty of the Deputy Commissioner to pacify people and hear their problems. Social worker and Ombudsman for Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme Seena Shetty said the arrest could have been avoided by having discussion. The Deputy Commissioner on Friday visited Melukoppala and Atrebail where residents had complained of flooding because of dumping of mud. Mr. Gowda said steps were being taken to raise the left bank of the Phalguni river where the residents were staying. Directions had been given to survey a portion of parapet wall on the left bank, he said.
Comments
Add new comment