Officials told to look out for missing person

City Police Commissioner S Murugan has directed department officials to find  Shwethan Kumar, who is missing under mysterious circumstances, leaving behind his wife -a Dalit woman Vijayalaxmi, after their inter-cast registered marriage in December 11, 2012. 

Speaking at the SC/ST monthly grievances meeting at Police Commissioner’s office here on Sunday, Vijayalaxmi said she was married to Shwethan Kumar, an upper caste person who worked at a motor showroom at Madantyar, against his family’s wishes.  

“He was kind at the beginning, but began harassing and demanded Rs 9 lakh. He said he would go to Bengaluru and never called again. Now, if I ask  police, they suggest I speak to the lawyers”, she said.

A kidnap case has been filed against Shwethan Kumar’s parents at Belthangady and an atrocity case has been filed at Kumpala police station of Ullal limits. The Police Commissioner advised to consider the future of the couple and go forward with any one case, instead of both. Dalit Sangarsha Samithi leader Dinesh Kumar alleged that untouchability is being followed among Tuluvas. The words like ‘Balaga’, ‘Polaga’ (‘ga’ in addition) which were used to refer untouchables in the past are still being used.

Recently, a local channel has broadcasted a song with similar words. It is a warning to them and Dalits hope it will not be repeated. During ‘Vishwa Tulu Parba’ also Dalits wanted few words which hurt the sentiments of lower caste people should not be used, but nobody followed it, a Dalit said. He also demanded that officials from Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement (CRE) Cell should be present in the meeting. 

Few Dalit leaders said that police should not be hurry in filing FIRs. However, the Commissioner clearly said that it clearly depends on cases and many times victims of incident want FIR at the earliest, he said. DCP Vishnuvardhan (Crime and Traffic) was also present.