JDS leader and former Karnataka Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on Friday released over 35 video clips that show Mangaluru Police violence against anti-CAA protesters.
Kumaraswamy held a press conference with CCTV videos as proof, on how Mangaluru Police did violence, then tried to cover up its tracks and blame protesters – by using TV channels who put out selective CCTV footage with edited.
“The police firing was done without any provocation even before any law and order problem arose. Police were ready to fire even before the commissioner order firing. This is a total failure in maintaining law and order by the police,” as Mangaluru witnessed two police killings following protests against the CAA on 19th December, Kumaraswamy said.
Naushin, 23 and Abdul Jalil Kudroli, 49 were killed in police firing on 19th December.
By refuting police claims that the police fired in defence when some protesters tried to set a police station on fire, JDS leader demanded that 360 degree CCTV footage of a camera in the police station should be released.
“The police video shows an auto rickshaw transporting sacks of stones projecting that the violence was well planned. But, the fact is that the video with me shows that auto was transporting debris from some under construction building,” he said.
“When protests against CAA are going on across the State, why is that violence happened only in Mangaluru? It is clearly a state sponsored violence,” he claimed.
The former Karnataka CM will table all the videos in the Legislative Assembly for discussion, he said.
Kumaraswamy demanded that a Legislature House committee be set up to probe the Mangaluru firing and the Police Commissioner and other senior officers should be immediately placed under suspension.
