Mangalore : Dalit leaders have urged the police department to initiate strict action against those responsible for assaulting two young Dalit sisters at Guruvayanakere recently.

Participating in the SC ST Grievance Redressal meet held at the SP office on August 4, Sunday, Dalit leaders also criticized the police department for failing to take action against the accused in the case.

Initiating a debate on the issue. Dalit leader Honnappa said the Bhajrangdal men had attacked the two girls, one being a minor, and another married, on the pretext that they had dressed indecently. The girls, he said were ill-treated after they were handed over to the police and even branded as prostitutes.

P Keshava, a Dalita Sangharsha Samithi leader who also spoke, said this was a case of moral policing. However L Shekhar, President of the Dalita Hakkugala Horata Samithi said the girls need to dress decently to avoid such incidents.

SP Abhishek Goel said three complaints have been received including a complaint from a victim and added the ASP will probe and submit a report within a week. He said  action would be taken on the basis of the report.

Vittal Malekudiya  who also spoke  said Malekudiya youth need to be trained to be inducted in other departments too   and not just Home Guards.

Additional Superintendent of Police T P Shivakumar was present during the meet.