Condemning the incident, members of the District Government Employees Association held a protest at the deputy commissioner’s office premises. The protest was led by President K N Manjunath, along with the employees of the various government departments.

On receiving information, farmers Bellambari Nagaraju, Thoradevandahalli Nagaraj, Raja, City Municipal Council member Lal Bahadur Shastri and several others arrived on the scene and condemned the employees’ protest.

They said, the women employees who were allegedly assaulted had complained to the police and a case had been registered in this regard.

Inspite of this, it was wrong on the part of the government employees to stage a dharna seeking action.

They further said, there should be a discussion in this regard. It is also alleged that it was due to the inefficient execution of works by the Record Room staff that the alleged assault had taken place. Hence, the matter must be discussed and clarified.

Holding dharnas was not a solution to solve a problem. This will only hamper the progress of works and create problems for the public. The protesters must realise that by holding dharnas, they were only creating problems for others, they added.

Reacting to these remarks, the protesters replied back that the employees were ready to work overtime to make up for the loss of the time utilised for the protest. The people should instead extend their support to the dharna.

Following these remarks and counter-remarks, the two groups got engaged in a war of words and inspite of DySP Prakashgoudar and his team making efforts to pacify the groups, the members did not withdraw.

Only after the arrival of Additional Superintendent of Police H R Bhagwandas on the scene that the situation diluted.

Background

It may be recalled here second grade employee Shashikala and fourth grade employee Veena were attacked on Wednesday by advocate Subbarayappa.

Advocate Subbarayappa rushed into the record room around 4.30 pm and insisted that he would personally look for some documents. When the two women tried to stop him from entering, not only did he abuse them with strong words but also attacked them.

After receiving the information, tahsildar D Dayanand said necessary action will be taken against the advocate.