Mangaluru: Activists of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) staged a protest at Clock Tower Circle in Mangaluru, demanding action against Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Ravish Nayak over allegations that a police officer slapped an ABVP leader during a student protest at St Agnes College.
The protesters demanded that Mangaluru Police Commissioner Sudheer Reddy visit the protest site and receive a memorandum from the students. They also called for the registration of a first information report (FIR) against ACP Ravish Nayak in connection with the alleged incident.
The protest saw heated exchanges between ABVP leaders and police personnel as the students insisted that senior officers address their demands.
ABVP demands police commissioner’s presence
The ABVP activists gathered at Clock Tower Circle and sat at the protest site, insisting that the police commissioner arrive in person to receive their memorandum.
The students set an 11 am deadline for Sudheer Reddy to reach the location. They warned that if the commissioner failed to arrive within the stipulated time, they would proceed directly to his office to press their demands.
ABVP leaders maintained that the allegations of assault against their leader required a response from senior police officials. They insisted that the matter should not be resolved merely through discussions with officers present at the protest site.
Demand for FIR against ACP Ravish Nayak
A key demand raised by the protesters was the registration of an FIR against ACP Ravish Nayak over the alleged assault during the protest at St Agnes College.
The ABVP activists sought action against the officer and called for accountability in the handling of the student demonstration. They maintained that the alleged incident required a formal police response.
The allegations against the ACP have not been independently established in the information available. A formal investigation and the response of the police authorities would be necessary to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Heated exchanges as police try to persuade students
Police personnel attempted to persuade the protesting students to call off their agitation. However, the ABVP activists remained at the site and continued to insist that their demands be addressed.
The situation witnessed verbal altercations between student leaders and police personnel, including two inspectors who were present at the scene. Despite efforts by the police to engage with the protesters, the students remained firm in their demand for the intervention of senior officers.
ABVP leaders reiterated that they wanted the commissioner or another senior officer to arrive at the spot and receive their memorandum.
The protest remained focused on the alleged assault at St Agnes College, the demand for an FIR against ACP Ravish Nayak and the call for action by the police leadership.
Students insist on action
The ABVP activists warned that they would take their protest to the police commissioner’s office if Sudheer Reddy did not arrive by the deadline. Their demands centred on a formal response to the alleged assault and accountability for the conduct of the police officer concerned.
Further developments, including whether the commissioner visited the site and whether an FIR was registered, were not available in the information provided.