Seetharam seeks Acharya's resignation
Editor-in-chief of 'Karavali Ale' B V Seetaram has demanded the resignation of Home Minister V S Acharya and dismissal of some top cops. Seetharam was chased before he was handcuffed and arrested on January 19 in a filmi style. The High Court had called his arrest and detention illegal and directed the home ministry to pay Rs 10,000 to him as compensation.
Seetharam today demanded that the state government should dismiss Dakshin Kannada SP, Western Range IGP, Home Secretary and Mysore jail superintendent. "We have named them in the habeas corpus plea and the High Court has ordered them to pay Rs 10,000 to me for keeping me in illegal custody from January 19 to February 3. The government should now place them under suspension pending dismissal proceedings," he said in a press meet.
Seetharam held V S Acharya responsible for the many attacks and controversies in Mangalore. "He is directly responsible for the anarchic situation prevailing in Mangalore now. His omission and commissions are proving too costly for the people of the state. He should relinquish the minister's post owning moral responsibility. If not, the Chief Minister should drop him from the cabinet," he said.
'Acharya lied'
"Acharya said in the legislative assembly that I was served three summons before the final warrant. A week ago he told reporters in Udupi that I was served seven summons and nine warrants before being arrested. He should first clarify which of the two stories is true. The truth is that no summons were ever served to me," he said.
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He also said that Acharya had lied that he (Seetharam) insisted on being handcuffed. "I actually resisted when the police tried to handcuff me. But they said they had orders from higher ups to handcuff me. Otherwise, they said that they would lose their jobs," he said.
Seetharam said he fears for his life and printing assets. "In the couple of years, I was arrested twice and attacks by anti-social elements took place. I fear the government may trouble me again, foisting on us concocted cases. In any case, the government should take clearance from the State Human Rights Commission in case it wants to arrest me or any of our office persons," he said.
He has urged the centre to provide security to him, his family and press stating state government's failure. "We also demand setting up of a central commission of inquiry to look into the entire gamut of the cases covering attacks on our press, curbs on our circulation network during the past three months and my arrest coupled with illegal detention. The report should be expected in three months' times," he said.
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