SP warns against concealing sexual assault incidents

Superintendent of Police S D Sharanappa has warned that any attempt to conceal sexual assault incidents is punishable offence.

Anyone who comes across the incident should bring it to the notice of police and law will take its own course.

During the monthly SC/ST grievances meeting at the SP office on Sunday, DSS leader Anand said in Sullia a person called Ashok sexually assaulted his wife’s younger sister, a 17 year-old-girl who is pregnant now. 

However, he later agreed to marry her. But, with the support of few organisations of Mangaluru, she has filed complaint against the accused without informing the family.

Meanwhile, the SP said the statement of the victim should be collected and case can be filed against the accused under Protection of Child from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act as the girl is still minor.

Dakshina Kannada Legal Service Authority former member Gopala Kadumata said people are afraid to send their children at Kumta after a rape incident. The police, along with social welfare department and women and child development department should take initiative to increase the morale of the public. Higher officials should visit dalit colonies once or twice in a month.

ATM guard assaulted
Anand complained that in Belthangady station limits, police have physically assaulted an ATM guard Vinay, who was taking rest in a nearby building with the permission of his manager as he was overworked on June 29.

Warning siren was blown and police were called at 3 am. Police scolded him and physically assaulted though he had permission to take rest. Police didn’t register FIR against the staff till date, he said.

The police official clarified that it was a theft attempt and they scolded the guard as he was absent during the time. They promised of taking action based on the video footage.
Dalit leader Shekhar said in Kayarthadka of Kalenja village in Belthangady a person called Balakrishna has demolished a house worth Rs 2 lakh belonged to Babu Malekudiya and Sheshappa on July 9.

 Though the accused claims that the land is his property, Nidle Gram Panchayat has already passed a resolution that Balakrishna had created fake documents for the land ownership, on January 9.

However, Head Constable Dhananjaya is indirectly supporting the accused by telling that the demolition of house is a civil issue and suggested to solve it in the court. Shekhar also expressed concern about misuse of dalit atrocity case.

Lack of parking facility
Bantwala resident Gangadhar said there is no space to park his bus because of auto rickshaw and two-wheelers. Though many memorandums have been submitted on the same, it has not been solved.

ASP Rahul Kumar said that though attempts will be done to solve problems, there is lack of space. The SP also blamed the wrong engineering. There is a need of support of other departments to find long-term solutions to the parking problem. Additional Superintendent of Police V S Kumar was also present.