Dalits demand arrest of 'hooligan'

The members of Dalit community on Sunday, made allegations against a self-proclaimed Bhajarangadal worker Nagesh from Basava Nagar in Kavoor police station limits, of harassing the poor unnecessarily. They alleged the police of not taking any action against him.

At the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes monthly grievance meeting convened at the Police Commissioner’s office, Siddharooda (22), a resident of Basava Nagar said that he was assaulted by Nagesh for a minor issue on last Wednesday. “I had lent Rs 500 to my friend Arjun who too belongs to scheduled caste community.

When I asked him to return my money, Nagesh, who happens to be Arjun’s friend, abused and assaulted me using beer bottle. Nagesh insulted me for being a dalit and warned me not to ask the money back. He in fact, threatened me of taking my life if I do not obey him,” he said. Siddharooda who got injured on his head, was then hospitalised and got the injuries stitched.

Furthermore, he said that on filing complaint with the police against Nagesh and Arjun, he received threatening calls from unknown numbers warning him of after-effects for filing the complaint.

“I did not withdraw the complaint as I wanted Nagesh to be punished, for he has been creating chaos in Basava Nagar and Jyothi Nagara, for long time now,” he said.

Dalita Sangharsha Samiti (Ambedkarvada) leader S P Anand said that Nagesh has been indulged in harassing and assaulting the residents unnecessarily and over 15 complaints were lodged against him so far, but he has not been arrested.

Another resident from Basava Nagara, Neelappa said that several complainants withdraw complaints against him, fearing him after they get threatening calls.

Responding to the complaint, Kavoor police station Inspector said that Arjun has been arrested in the case, while Nagesh is absconding. “Over 10 cases have been booked against him. We have continued the search and we will arrest him soon.”

With only a few days left for the urban local body elections, DSS leader P Keshava asked the police to keep a vigil to curb the political parties from offering liquor to dalits residing in dalit colonies. Police Commissioner Manish Karbikar assured of taking note of the request.

In connection with the case where a dalit girl from Vamanjoor had filed a complaint in last December against Nagaraj from Karambaru of sexually exploiting her,  the Police Commissioner said that a team of police has been sent to Mumbai to trace the accused, who has absconded since several months.