JOIN USPrajaprabhuthva Ulisi Andolana Vedike worker Nagesh Angirasa on Wednesday demanded an independent enquiry by the deputy commissioner into the alleged cattle killings at Kundur.
Angirasa told reporters: “It is imperative that the DC should intervene and dig out the truth behind the incident in view of law and order situation in the district.”
Angirasa said unabated cattle theft has been reported at Megunda hobli in Koppa taluk as cattle lifters are breaking into sheds and threatening cattle rearers with weapons. In some cases, the cattle let loose for grazing have are returning to houses. The cattle mafia in Mangaluru is active in the district and has deployed the locals for the same. The mafia is strong and the illegal trade running into several crores of rupees with the blessings of politicians and officers, he charged.
Angirasa accused that on July 10, a gang of cattle lifters identified as Palraj, Dhanush, Sandeep, Muthappa and others were caught red-handed by Jayapura policemen at Kundur. The accused who were produced before a court were remanded in judicial custody. However, they turned hostile later and lodged a false atrocity complaint against the informers at the instigation of Komu Sauharda Vedike activists, he charged.
Another social worker Manikantan Kandaswamy said, “Not all dalits are in favour of cattle killing and they do not consider it as right to food. Only a handful of dalit youths are dancing to the tunes of mafia and are indulged in filing false atrocity complaints frequently”.
Zilla panchayat former member Shekar demanded restoration of peace in Malnad region, by banning such anti-social elements who are meddling with peace in the society.
Farmer K R Panduranga termed it as a false charge to cover misdeeds.