Tribal accuses Bajrang Dal members of assaulting him

MANGALURU: A member of the

Malekudiya tribe

in

Karkala

taluk in

Udupi

has accused an activist of the

Bajrang Dal

of stripping him and assaulting him in public, besides making derogatory remarks about his caste. The complainant said that the entire episode occurred in the presence of

police

.

Seetharam Malekudiya, a resident of Jagottu Colony in a village called Idu in Karkala, has raised the issue with Udupi superintendent of police N Vishnuvardhan. The SP confirmed to TOI than a senior cop had been directed to probe the incident and submit a report, based on the findings of which action necessary action would be initiated.

Seetharam, a farmer engaged in the rearing of goats and cattle, said that he had purchased a calf from a neighbour. On the same day, Seetharam was approached by Abdul Rehman, who wished to procure a

goat

from the former. Rehman was attacked while he was returning home by activists of the Bajrang Dal, who suspected him of smuggling

cattle

for slaughter.

On July 22 evening, nearly 50 activists of the Bajrang Dal, accompanied by the police sub-inspector of the area arrived at Seetharam’s house. The complainant was subsequently

stripped

and assaulted. Seetharam also accused the cops of pushing his wife, while searching his home.