Bhatkal: An FIR has been lodged against more than 20 forest officials including Bhatkal Sub-division ACF and RFO on charges of allegedly harassing and threatening with third-degree treatment two Bhatkal youth who were picnicking near Bedkoor in Manki village in Honnavar taluk,
According to the FIR in Manki Police Station, the cases are booked under section 143, 147, 149, 341, 324, 504, 506 against more than 20 forest officials including ACF Balachandra, RFO Shankar Gowda, Manki RFO, Santosh, Ravi and others.
According to complainant Umair Saeed Ruknuddin, he along with his friend was on his way to Bhatkal from Bedkoor in the night hours after picnicking in the village when he was stopped by the forest official who accused the duo of hunting animals and took them to their office. They allegedly clicked pictures of the duo with the remains of animals hunted by someone else. They were also given third-degree treatment in the custody and were subjected to torture for the whole day. "One of the officers named Shankar Gowda used his revolver to threaten us. He placed his revolver on my head, with three bullets and three empty slots and pulled the trigger posing threat to my life” Umair alleged.
A well-known social worker of Bhatkal and a cousin of Umair, Nisar Ruknuddin (Top) said that the same night, both the accused were taken to Bhatkal Taluka Hospital where the forest officials were given ‘Medically fit’ certificate of the duo by the duty doctor, which Nisar termed as “Part of the conspiracy”.
Recalling the incident, Umair further said that they were taken to Karwar jail from the hospital, where the authorities initially didn’t admit them after looking at their condition. However, the forest officials took the authorities into confidence and got them to accept them. The next morning they were taken to Karwar District Hospital where the doctors said they needed immediate medical attention. A week after the arrest when Umair secured bail, he visited Bhatkal Taluka Hospital for medical tests, and also referred to Mangaluru hospital. Once after he completed the treatments, he filed an FIR at Manki police station on 24th March, Sunday.
Umair also said they were forced to accept that they had hunted the animals. As there were no weapons with Umair and his friend, a common question among the people were heard asking that how come it is possible to hunt an animal with hands?
The people in the town are now calling for strict actions against the accused officers and have alleged the same officers of harassing the forest land encroachers day and night. The enraged locals lashed over the officials for their rude behaviour with the citizens and demanded severe action against them.