Ex-MLA sees Minister's hand in arrest

The issue of new procession route, banning protests, rallies at K R circle and D Devaraja Urs road has taken a political turn.

Former MLA M K Somashekar on Saturday accused his successor and Medical Education, District In-charge Minister S A Ramdas’ of playing a role, influencing the cops to arrest he and his supporters near K R Circle, recently.

In a press meet on Saturday, he further alleged that the police arrested them for no reason when they were standing at the cycle stand near the K R Circle. “We were there to discuss about the draconian orders of the Police Commissioner prohibiting  protests, at K R Circle.

The gathering did not intend to take out any procession or stage a protest. It was only a meeting convened to discuss the issue and chalk out a strategy to fight the unfair rule made by the city police.

“Suddenly, the police bundled us and took us to their custody. It was done on the directions of Ramdas. Are we land grabbers or named in the previous Deputy Commissioner Vijay Bhaskar’s report for land grabbing? Have we forged Tahasildar's sign to grab a big chunk of farmer’s land near Malalavadi?, he questioned ostensibly targeting Ramdas.

Conspiracy alleged

The minister also saw it to that we were not released for at least few days, alleged Somashekar.  He criticised the city police’s idea of taking out procession through sub way, according to the new route. “How rationale is moving in the subway during a protest. What if there is a stampede?” the ex-MLA asked. Noted dalit activist Harihara Anandaswamy said the forum would lodge a petition with the State Human Rights Commission against issue. MDCC Rural Youth Unit President Dr B J Vijay Kumar and others were present .