Bank workers protest police inaction against MLA

Some members of the District Central Cooperative Bank Employees Union staged a protest in front of the Athani Police Station in Belagavi district on Saturday, saying that the police are not acting against MLA Laxman Savadi, his son Chidanand Savadi and some others who are said to have assaulted a labour union leader.

They said that union leader Ningaraj Karennavar was summoned to the house of Mr. Savadi to resolve some issues in the union but he was beaten up by the MLA, his son and some supporters.

The victim received a head injury, they said. Ningaraj Karennavar has been admitted to a hospital in Athani.

The protestors said that despite giving a written complaint, the police refused to register a case against the MLA. They demanded that Mr. Savadi resign as director of the DCC Bank and face legal action.

Mr. Savadi has, however, denied the charge.

“It is true that Ningaraj Karennavar came to my house. But it was on his own volition as he wanted to resolve issues in the union. I told him I will not interfere and asked him to leave. Some of my followers also gave him the same advice. He left my house immediately. Neither I nor my supporters are involved in the incident in any way,” he said.