Protestors Demand Justice for Pothole Victims, Call for Police Commissioner’s Removal
Protesters advocating for justice for those who have suffered injuries or lost their lives due to potholes on city roads were denied permission by Mangaluru’s city commissioner. This denial sparked continued protests within the city commissionerate’s jurisdiction. DYFI district president B K Imtiyaz declared, “Our fight will not cease until the commissioner is removed. We are prepared to protest without pause, face arrests, and counter any cases you file against us.”
The protest took place at Grama Chavadi Junction in Harekala on Sunday, organized jointly by DYFI and CPI(M), under the banner ‘Anupam Agarwal Hatao’ (Remove Anupam Agarwal). Imtiyaz criticized Mangaluru City Police Commissioner Anupam Agarwal, likening him to the notorious British officer General Dyer for suppressing democratic rights.
Imtiyaz also accused Legislative Assembly Speaker U T Khader of backing the commissioner. “Khader has tarnished the dignity of the speaker’s post,” he remarked, urging Khader to show his strength by addressing the issues of the poor, such as providing housing and establishing government colleges, medical, and engineering schools.
He highlighted the communist struggle as the reason many poor families in Dakshina Kannada own land, claiming that Commissioner Agarwal is unfamiliar with such struggles. “We will now fight to drive him out of Mangaluru,” Imtiyaz declared.
DYFI Taluk president Nithin Kuthar questioned, “Contractors are afraid of protests when roads are filled with potholes, but why is the police commissioner afraid? What is your connection to the roads?”
Other prominent leaders present included CPI(M) Mudipu zonal secretary Rafique Harekala, K H Hameed, Umarabba, Rizwan Harekala, and several others.
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