Brahmavar: Tension prevailed for several hours outside the Brahmavar police station on Wednesday after hundreds of protesters staged a demonstration alleging police assault on a student from Uppoor. The protest, led by the Udupi District Billava Yuva Vedike, ended late in the evening after the police registered an FIR against five persons, including three police personnel.

The protest was triggered by allegations that Akshata Poojary, a student from Uppoor, was assaulted by police personnel from the Malpe police station during the execution of a warrant. Protesters accused the police of failing to act on her complaint and instead filing a counter-case against her.

Procession to police station

The protest began with a large procession taken out from the Akashavani Sri Narayanaguru Sabhabhavan in Brahmavar to the Brahmavar police station. Hundreds of people, led by members of the Billava Yuva Vedike, participated in the march, raising slogans and demanding immediate action against the police personnel allegedly involved in the assault.

After reaching the police station, the protesters gathered in front of the premises and insisted that an FIR be registered against the accused police officials and that they be suspended from duty.

Allegations by Billava Yuva Vedike

Addressing the gathering, Vedike president Praveen Poojary alleged that Malpe police personnel had come to the house of a relative of an accused person in Uppoor, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Brahmavar police station, in connection with the execution of a warrant.

“During this visit, Akshata Poojary was allegedly assaulted by the police personnel,” he said. He further claimed that despite Akshata lodging a complaint at the Brahmavar police station, the police did not register an FIR based on her statement.

Instead, he alleged, a false case was filed against Akshata on charges of obstructing police duty. “This is a gross injustice. A victim has been turned into an accused,” Praveen Poojary told the protesters.

He declared that the agitation would continue until a case was registered against the police personnel involved, based on Akshata’s complaint.

Police officers attempt to pacify protesters

As the protest intensified, Additional Superintendent of Police Sudhakar Naik and Udupi Deputy Superintendent of Police Prabhu D.T., who were present at the spot, attempted to pacify the agitating crowd.

They informed the protesters that the Superintendent of Police had already initiated action in the matter and assured them that the issue would be looked into seriously. However, the protesters refused to accept the assurance and remained adamant that only the registration of an FIR against the police would satisfy their demand.

The agitation continued without any relaxation, with protesters insisting on immediate and concrete action.

Additional DC suggests complaints authority route

Later, Additional Deputy Commissioner Abid Gadyal arrived at the police station and addressed the protesters. He urged Akshata Poojary to approach the Udupi District Police Complaints Authority if she had been subjected to police excess.

He assured the gathering that an impartial inquiry would be conducted through the authority and that justice would be delivered to the victim if wrongdoing was established.

Despite the assurance, the protesters continued their agitation, reiterating that registration of an FIR was non-negotiable.

Tense situation, extra police deployed

The protest, which began in the afternoon, continued till around 7.30 pm. As tempers flared and the situation grew tense, additional police forces were deployed in and around the Brahmavar police station as a precautionary measure.

The prolonged agitation created a charged atmosphere in the area, with traffic and routine activities affected for several hours.

SP assures FIR, protest ends

Later in the evening, Udupi District Superintendent of Police Hariram Shankar arrived at the police station and held discussions with the leaders of the protest. He assured them that an FIR would be registered based on Akshata Poojary’s complaint.

Following this assurance, the police department registered a case against five persons, including three police personnel from the Malpe police station.

The FIR names three police personnel accused of assaulting Akshata during the warrant execution, along with the complainant in the warrant-related case and his son.

After the FIR was registered, the Billava Yuva Vedike called off the protest at around 8 pm.

Leaders from across parties present

Several Billava community leaders and political representatives were present at the protest, including Geetanjali Suvarna, Shilpa Suvarna, Kiran Kurma Bailur, B.N. Shankar Poojary, Shivakurma Ambalapady, Shivaji Suvarna, Sunil Bangera, Dinark Herur and Prabhakar Poojary.

Political leaders cutting across party lines, including Congress leader Prasad Raj Kanchan and BJP Yuva Morcha leader Prithviraj Hegde, also participated in the demonstration, expressing solidarity with the protestors.

Conclusion

The incident and the subsequent protest have brought renewed focus on allegations of police excess and the demand for accountability in law enforcement. While the registration of the FIR has temporarily defused tensions, protesters have stated that they will closely monitor the progress of the investigation to ensure that justice is delivered to the victim without delay or bias.