BJP, Hindu groups call off protest after SP clarifies activist was not assaulted

KARWAR: Activists of the BJP and Hindu groups staged a protest in front of the Bhatkal Town police station on Wednesday condeming the assault on an activist by the police superintendent. On Tuesday too, they had staged a protest by blocking the highway. However, after talks with the SP, they called off their protest.

During a rowdy parade in Sirsi on Tuesday, Srinivas Nayak, a Hindu activist who was on the rowdy list, was also summoned. However, on Tuesday night, Srinivas alleged that SP M Narayan had assaulted him and got himself admitted to a hospital.

Following this, BJP and Hindu activists had staged a protest blocking National Highway-66 and laid siege to the Bhatkal Town police station on Tuesday night, demanding that the SP tender an apology.

Speaking on the issue, SP Narayan denied assaulting Sriniva Nayak and said, “There are 996 rowdies listed in Uttara Kannada district and the police keep a watch over their activities. On Tuesday, a rowdy parade was held in Sirsi and they were warned. Srinivas came to Bhatkal, got himself admitted to a hospital and made fasle allegations of assault. Those who stay off criminal activities are taken off the rowdy list, but if they continue, legal action is taken against them”.

Srinivas Nayak, an autorickshaw driver and Hindu activist in Hanuma Nagar in Bhatkal, is accused in six cases. During the last Lok Sabha election, he was externed from the district. After Tuesday’s rowdy parade in Sirsi, he had returned to Bhatkal and got himself admitted to a hospital alleging that the SP had assaulted him.