Mangaluru, January 24: The Popular Front of India (PFI) district unit held a huge protest meet in front of the DC’s office on Friday January 23rd, in the city; opposing the recent communal clashes that took place at Karaya in Beltangady and the following incidents which occurred at Uppinangady.
A M Athavullah, PFI district president addressing the gathering spoke about the clashes at Ulaibettu in November-2014 and said, “Muslims were accused of attacking Datta Peetha pilgrims, but that was not the actual case. The real issue was that the pilgrims were going on a new road that was about to be inaugurated and when youths from the area tried to stop them, they were abused and clashes erupted. Post the clashes, police entered into 24 houses and attacked people, 29 persons were arrested, out of which six were released the next morning due to pressure from Muslim groups and another let off by the court as he was a minor. Remaining 22 are still in jail, he said.
He said, “The police are biasing between communities, as only Muslims have been sent to Ballari jail,” he added. “The government as well as the district administration are responsible for all the clashes since they are not taking any action. They had promised to take strict action against members of the other group one month ago, but nothing has been done so far,” he said.
He said, none of the ministers from Dakshina Kannada visited Karaya post the clashes. Innocents are still in jail. He urged that the cops submit B report and release the innocents.
Former mayor Ashraf, who is also the president of Samyukta Jamath, said, “Two departments are very important in our country – the army and the police. The army is protecting our nation and rendering sincere service but why are the cops biasing among communities?”, he queried.
State SDPI leader Ilyas Mohammed Thumbay said, “DK and Udupi are renowned as the districts of the educated, but because of communal clashes; image of DK has taken a beating.
He continued further and said, “Even Hindus themselves have lost their peace because of the Sangh Parivar outfits. Why do these Prabhakar Bhat and Pravin Togadia drag Muslims into their speeches?. “Talk about Hinduism and Hindus during Hindu convention and not about Muslims. Do not criticize holy books, attires or our language,” he said.
Vice-president of Muslim Central Committee Hamid Kandak said, “Good Hindus will not allow people to spoil any mosque. Muslims should not attack any Hindus during clashes but instead protect them.”
Hyder Neersala, President of PFI Beltangady, SDPI district president Nawaz Ullal, PFI state committee member Iqbal Nandarabettu, were present among others during the protest.
