M’lore: Woman corporator Pratibha Kulai alleges harassment during LS Poll campaigning

Pics by John V Tauro
Bellevision Media Network

Mangalore, 3 Apr 2014: City corporator, Pratibha Kulai, in a press meet convened at district Congress office here, expressed her anger against the humiliation she was subjected to by a group of youth belonging to one of the Hindu outfits on Sunday. She said she had to face harassment on a local channel and also during campaigning.

Duly mentioning the name of the main accused in this case as Manoj, she said, while she was attending a programme aired by a local media, he had called in to specifically harass her with the sole intention of creating a bad impression in the minds of the viewers of the telecast. “I have gathered details about all his past deeds, and have found that he was involved with many criminal cases as per the police records”, she said.

She also accused the channel of only connecting her to specific calls received from people related with crimes during this programme, and ignoring a large number of calls that were received from other common people.

Kulai said she had come across a bitter experience even during campaigning for Congress. ‘I had been to this place on Sunday along with some senior leaders for canvassing for votes. About 30 men surrounded me and humiliated me through obscene words. Even after I called assistant commissioner of police from the spot and some police personnel came there, they continued to hurl warnings and unparliamentary words at me. But I faced all this humiliation with courage and conviction,’ she claimed.

 

 

 

Even before this incident she said she had encountered demeaning abuses and suffered heavily. Expressing her regret for joining the party, she said she would resign from the party if the party does not stand with her and help her to get justice.

She has filed a case against the concerned for outraging the modesty of women in the public. She added that she continues to repose her hope on police department and she is expecting the police to take action against the accused.

Mangalore North MLA, Mohiuddin Bava, who was present at the press meet, showing his solidarity with Pratibha, said that he had already spoken to the commissioner regarding the case and that department has assured to take necessary action.

He asserted that he had never talked ill of Kodikere residents, and said that the people of that area are basically peace lovers. He divulged that a police complaint about the highhanded attitude of some people there has been filed, and that the chief minister, home minister, and police commissioner have been requested to contain the rude behavior in the area and provide protection to Pratibha.