Mangalore, November 29: An auto-rickshaw driver from Mudigere, who suffered injuries to his spine after being subjected to a deadly assault for a petty reason, was admitted to a private hospital in the city.
Under the pretext of finding fault at having parked his rickshaw at a non-feasible spot in Mudigere, Moideen C H (42) was assaulted by local residents Sudhev Gatty, Sujith Halemudigere, Sandesh Biligula and others last Saturday, according to a complaint registered at the Mudigere police station.
The assault has the leaning towards communal policing as the victim's family claimed that these men belonged to Bajrang Dal.
Due to the assault, the victim at present is unable to talk, while his hearing has been disabled in one ear. He has been in the hospital from the past five days. Currently admitted at a hospital in Kankanady, here, the victim requires surgery as he has suffered injuries to his spine, says the doctor.
Two days prior to the assault, on November 22, a person named Pradeep had objected to Moideen parking his rickshaw at Banashankari in Mudigere, and picked up a fight. Having received prior indication of an assault on Moideen, his brother Ahmad Bava sought to resolve the dispute amicably, and brought him along two days later to discuss it with Sudhev Gatty, known as the local chief of Bajrang Dal.
At the time of discussion between the two parties, it has been alleged that Moideen was subjected to assault. Mr Bava too was injured in the process of having tried to stop the assault.
Moideen received primary treatment in Mudigere and was advised by the doctor to be taken to Chikmagalur for further treatment. Later, he was brought to Mangalore. According to the doctor, there is a necessity of further treatment for two months. This indicates the severity of the attack made on Moideen.
Expressing sorrow at the incident and its dire consequences, victim's wife Ayesha, who is nursing her husband, said that the sole bread-winner of the family was injured and bed-ridden. She said that the assaulters may have mistaken them for outsiders, and stressed that they should be punished.
Opposing the assault made on Moideen, the Auto-rickshaw drivers' union protested in Mudigere urging that the accused be arrested. However, even after five days after the assault, none of the accused have been arrested.
Threats, counter-case
A complaint was lodged by Moideen's brother Ahmad Bava at Mudigere police station on Sunday, November 25). Ahmad has since been subjected to threats, and attempts made to coerce him into taking the complaint back.
Later the assailants also lodged a counter complaint against Mr Bava, stating that later carried out the assault on Bajrang Dal men.
“Having assaulted us once wasn't enough, now the miscreants have indirectly conveyed that we will be attacked again. If the police failed to take prompt action against these men, we can't live without fear,” said Mr Bava.
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