Mob ransacks police station, sets vehicles afire in Gadag

 A mob set at least nine police vehicles on fire and ransacked the police station in Lakshmeshwar on Sunday, alleging that the police beat a lorry driver to death. 

The deceased, identified as Shivappa Dundappa Ganigera (23), was a resident of Battur village in Shirahatti taluk. Dundappa, the father of Shivappa, said that his son was driving a sand-laden truck towards Hubballi on Saturday night when the Lakshmeshwar police intercepted him between Samshi and Pashupathihal of Dharwad district. Dundappa said that the police beat up his son and the family members admitted Shivappa to a hospital by which time he had died. The relatives of the deceased brought his body directly to the police station and began a protest there, alleging that Shivappa died of police atrocity.

As the news spread, hundreds of angry residents rushed to the police station. The mob set on fire eight police bikes and a jeep which were parked on the premises of the police station. The crowd later ransacked the police station, damaged furniture and set the files there on fire. Though fire engines were rushed to the spot, the drivers of the vehicles were threatened against going near the police station. Residents attempted to attack three personnel at the police station, but they fled to safety.

Deputy Commissioner Manoj Jain, who visited the spot, said that a judicial probe would be conducted into the death of Shivappa. He said the role of illegal sand mafia in the arson would be looked into. A compensation of Rs 20,000 would be immediately paid to the family of the deceased apart from Rs 5,000 towards funeral expenses, the DC said.

Superintendent of Police C Vamshikrishna said that the relatives of the deceased have lodged a complaint against the sub-inspector attached to the police station. Inspector General of Police (North) K R Ramachandra Rao, who visited the spot, said that PSI S Dayananda and constable Ashok Pujar have been suspended in connection with the incident. He said he had recommended to the Director General and Inspector General of Police to order a CID inquiry.

Some leaders of Battur and Lakshmeshwar convinced the parents of the deceased to shift the body to district hospital.