Kundapura: Ashok K. Shetty, Heroor GP  chief and vice president of Karnataka State Photo-graphers’ Association, has complained of injuries suffered by him when Byndoor police sub- inspecter Pavitra Teja assaulted him and he had to be treated at the local Government hospital on Thursday.

Shetty had to visit the Byndoor police station about a case related to a Dalit family this week, but SI Teja behaved inhumanly and assaulted Shetty, with other policemen Lakshmi Samagar, a Dalit family woman from Herror had complained of Bhujanga Shetty’s obstruction against the construction of compound wall on her land by herself.

So Ashok visited the police station along with Lakshimi’s son, Nagaraja. But SI Teja did not  allow Shetty to speak and used abusive, ugly language against Shetty and derided him. Then he hit him.

Teja kept Shetty for 75 minutes confined to the Byndoor police station. Teja snatched away the mobile phone from Shetty and warned Nagaraja to remain seated.

Local leaders come to the police station on hearing of assault and held talks with Teja and CIP Arun Nayak.

Local photographers held on emergency meeting and condemned the police personnel for in human treatment.

The Dakshina Kannada Photographers went in a silent  procession from Hotel Hari Prasad, after the meeting and met the Dy. SP Jayant Shetty to submit a memorandum demanding stern action against Teja and his team.

Photographers of Dakshina Kannada – Udupi districts were present in large numbers. CIP  Madan Gaonkar and SI of Kundapura, Johnson D’Souza , were also present.

A mob gathered to lend support to the Association members.

Jayant found that there was a prima facie case of physical assault as proved by injuries, so promised action against the guilty police personnel. Jayant added that it was wrong to beat up visitors, after ridiculing them at the police station, which should be friendly to educated visitors.

He promised to send a suitable report to SP, and office bearers of DK-Udupi Photographers Association.
The injured GP chide awaits further action.