Case filed against Karnataka cop for his terrifying statement during Mangaluru protests

Mangaluru: It has been almost a week since two people were killed in police firing during violent Mangaluru protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) in Karnataka. 

Though the police released a series of crowd-sourced videos showing incidents of stone-pelting and arson to justify the firing of bullets, other videos have emerged showing police firing at protesters from a distance and discussing why “no one has fallen dead”. 

A case has been registered against inspector Shantharam at the Bandur police station, where the complainant claims that the inspector was heard saying ‘though we are firing, no one has fallen dead’ during the Mangaluru violence on December 19. 

The complaint accuses Kadri police station inspector Shantharam of giving inflammatory (terrifying) speeches of killing protestors who were turning violent near a worship place in Mangaluru port. 

A man who goes by the name Hanif Katipalla has lodged the complaint against inspector Shantharam based on a video that went viral on the social media network. 

The police sources in Mangaluru claimed that they ran out of tear gas and fearing they would be overrun by the protesters, started firing bullets in the air.  Abdul Jaleel (49) and Nausheen (23), daily wage labourers from Mangaluru, were killed in the firing. 

Karnataka chief minister BS Yediyurappa on Wednesday (December 25) withdrew the ex-gratia announced to the victims of police firing in Mangaluru during protests against Citizenship (Amendment) Act stating that their families would be given ex-gratia only if they are not found guilty. 

Also read: Karnataka CM withdraws ex-gratia given to Mangaluru violence victims

The Karnataka government on Sunday (December 22) had announced ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh each to the families of Nausheen Kudroli and Jaleel Kandak who died in Mangaluru police firing.    

Read Exclusive COVID-19 Coronavirus News updates, at MyNation.