Newskarnataka – Mangalore
Mangalore: Expressing the agitation, a group of journalists submitted a memorandum to SP Shantanu Sinha at Mangalore on Thursday November 28, after the attack on Journalist V T Prasad, in Bantwal.
The delegation of journalists also alleged that an aggressive fundamentalist group had carried out the attack.
The delegation urged the police department to conduct a proper probe into this matter and arrest the culprits involved in this gruesome task immediately. The attack was a result of grudge against the journalist’s active involvement in his field of work.
In their demand they said, “The law against rape is being used as a tool to vilify journalists. Hence, the woman who filed the complaint should be subjected to counseling.”
SP Shantanu Sinha addressing the delegation said, “We will surely take severe action against the culprits. Already a case is registered under IPC section 307.”
Reporters Rajesh, Tharanath Kapikad, Naveen Soorinje, Pushparaj Shetty, and others were present on this occasion.
Bantwal: Likewise in Bantwal, the locals accumulated in front of Vittal police station and protested against the gruesome assault on Journalist V T Prasad, on Thursday November 28.
The president of Bantwal journalists union Mounesh Vishwakarma during the protest addressed the gathering and expressed disregard with the system.
He said, “It is an attempt by communal forces on the life of a journalist who is compassionate towards difficulties in society regardless of caste or creed, and one who was concerned of the country, state, district, taluk and gram is condemnable.”
Insisting the police to take action at the earliest, he said, “The police must arrest the people responsible for the attack, the journalist only intended to build a house for a poor woman and sought contributions for it by publishing her story.”
He notified that the protest upheld at another level and also exaggerate if the culprits are not arrested and punished for the offence.
Addressing the protestors, CITU leader Ramanna Vittal said, “It seems as if nobody was scared of Vittal police.”
He alleged that the police might be involved with the culprits, as they are least bothered and to take any action with regards to the attack. He said, “It is also seen that the police has no concern while there is a precarious situation created in the area and citizens have to face impending dangers.”
Journalist Santhosh said, “V T Prasad had been attacked as revenge as he had done investigative journalism into illegal activities and underhand affairs.”
He further questioned, “What else can be the reason for the attack on the life of a journalist who was trying to help somebody?”
Sesappa B K Bedrakadu, president of Dakshina Kannada dalit seva committee, Balakrishna Serkala of Kolnadu Salethoor of Hindu Hitarakshana Vedike, Journalists Vishnu Guptha Punacha, Hameed Kandak, Vishwanath Bantwal and social activists Rajendra Rai Bailuguthu, Rathnadev Punjalkatte, secretary of journalists association at Bantwal, treasurer Sandeep Salian, Praveen Bolwar, Ajith Kumar, Siddik Kumbra, Kishore Peraje, Jyothiprakash Punacha, Nishanth Billampadav, Hameed Vittal, Latif Neralakatte, Aruna Vittal, C H Jayanth Vittal, Nagesh Basavanagudi, Devidas Shetty Palthaje and others were present for the protest.
