Malpe harbour assault: Woman urges Udupi DC to drop case

Udupi: A delegation, including the woman who was tied to a tree and assaulted at Malpe harbour after she was accused of stealing fish, met deputy commissioner Vidya Kumari K on Monday and submitted a memorandum requesting the withdrawal of the case filed in connection with the incident.The woman told reporters that a compromise was reached between both the parties on the day of the incident. "However, the next day, police contacted me and asked for details of the incident. I was asked to sign documents. I cannot read. I am not aware of what happened later," she said.Several members of the community, who accompanied her, also appealed for the case to be dropped, claiming that the local fisherfolk at Malpe harbour have always extended support to them. They claimed that police acted only after the video of the incident went viral. We have been living in harmony for several years, they said.Five people were arrested following the assault incident. Additionally, the Udupi SP suspended two beat constables for failing to gather proper information about the incident.