BJP stages protest for second day over police ‘disrobing’ woman during arrest

After having staged a protest till late evening in Hubballi on Wednesday condemning the police highhandedness in “disrobing” a BJP worker during her arrest, BJP workers staged another protest on Thursday, this time in Dharwad.

Meanwhile, Congress leaders have submitted a memorandum to the police seeking the arrest of all the accused in three cases filed in connection with the clash on January 1.

They said that BJP worker Sujata Handi, who was “disrobed” by the police during her arrest, is one of the accused.

In Dharwad, members of the BJP Mahila Morcha staged the protest in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office.

Terming the incident “shameful”, the protestors condemned it in strong words saying that the incident raises serious concerns about the safety of women in the State.

They said that the incident is politically motivated and demanded strict legal action against the police personnel involved.

Congress leaders submitting a memorandum to the police on Thursday seeking the arrest of all accused in the three cases registered in a clash over SIR mapping in Hubballi on January 1.
| Photo Credit:
KIRAN BAKALE

In a related development, submitting a memorandum to Deputy Commissioner of Police C.R. Raveesh at Keshwapur Police Station on Thursday, Congress leaders Anilkumar Patil, Altaf Halwoor and Rajat Ullagaddimath said that barring Sujata Handi, the police have not arrested the other accused in the three cases and demanded that they too be arrested immediately.

Councillor in custody

Meanwhile, the Hubballi Police on Thursday, who went to arrest Congress councillor Suvarna Kallakuntla in connection with a case of assault and attempt to murder, rushed her to hospital as she collapsed soon after.

The case was registered against her and eight others following prolonged agitation by BJP leaders in Hubballi on Wednesday.

The BJP leaders said that no action was taken against the municipal councillor in connection with the January 1 incident, wherein the councillor got involved in the clash with Sujata Handi.

The clash was the result of differences over mapping for Special Intensive Revision during which a BLO is said to have been accompanied by BJP workers.

According to sources, the councillor, who has been taken into custody, is being treated in a hospital.