FIR against CPI(M), CPI leaders in Mangaluru for holding protest without permission

Mangaluru: The Mangaluru South Police Station has filed suo motu case against leaders of the CPI and CPI(M) who staged a protest near the Mini Vidhana Soudha on November 4, condemning the civilian casualties in Israel attack on Palestine and calling for a ceasefire.

Despite the denial of permission for the protest, CPI and CPI(M) leaders allegedly gathered illegally and held a protest while shouting slogans.

ASI Praveen K from the South Police Station in a complaint stated that legal action should be taken against Nagesh Kotian, Vasanth Achari, Yadav Shetty, Santosh Bajal, Sukumar Rao, Imtiyaz, Muneer Katipalla, Sunil Kumar Bajal, Yogish Jappinamogaru, Hayavadana Rao, Seetharam Berinja, and others for their involvement in organising the illegal gathering. The FIR was registered under Sections 189(2) and 190 of the BNS for assembling unlawfully and holding the protest.

Nagesh Kotian had submitted a request to the city police commissioner’s office on November 3 for permission to protest and use a public addressing system. However, the commissioner’s office denied permission. In response, DCP (Law and Order) Siddharth Goyal had warned that legal action would be taken if the protest proceeded despite the denial.

Reacting to the FIR, Muneer Katipalla said that police were informed of the protest and loud speakers were not used during the protest.