Congress Muslim leaders demand judicial probe into lathi charge on PFI activists

Mangaluru: Coming down heavily on the episode of the police resorting to lathi charge to suppress the Popular Front of India activists who were staging protest on Tuesday outside Police Commissioner’s office, the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Minority Cell has demanded judicial probe into the case and has also pressed for transfer of the incumbent Police Commissioner of Mangaluru.

Addressing a public gathering on Wednesday, Cell Vice-President and former mayor K Ashraf said the government has to fulfill the demands within 15 days, failing which, they will intensify their protest.

The PFI members had gathered to seek justice for one Ahmed Qureshi, who had been victim to police atrocities and justice still remains due to him, Ashraf said demanding compensation for Qureshi from the government.

Alleging that strategic plans are being chalked out to suppress the minorities in the city, Ashraf said that the episodes unfurling in recent past stand as strong evidence to this claim.

However, the Cell members had a heated exchange of words with the reporters when the latter questioned as to why District in-charge Minister Ramanath Rai should not be held directly responsible for the lathi-charge incident.

Congress leaders Mohommed Masood among others were present.