Mangaluru: Former MLA Monappa Bhandary condemned the protests staged by Congress leaders and party workers following the arrest of former minister D K Shivakumar. He further urged the police department to take strict action against protesters who damaged public property.

Speaking to reporters at the BJP office in Mangaluru on Thursday, September 5, Bhandary said, “Shivakumar was arrested as he did not cooperate with Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials. The investigating agencies are working as per the law and there is no interference by the BJP government in their activities.”

“There have been several instances where ministers, former ministers and elected representatives have been questioned by the ED. If Shivakumar is really innocent and has not committed any mistake, then he would have been set free from such allegations. Let him prove his innocence,” he added.

Highlighting the stone-pelting incidents which took place in Kinnigoli and Balmatta, Bhandary said that damaging public property under the pretext of holding protests is illegal.

He further stressed that the police should book such culprits under the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act.

BJP leaders Jithendra Kottary, Premananda Shetty, Ravishankar Mijar and Sathish Prabhu were present.