Torture of Koraga tribal community members by police in Karnataka

On the night of December 27, 2021, one Rajesh and other members of Koraga tribal community were tortured by a police team led by Sub Inspector Santosh at Kotatattu village under Kota Police Station in Udupi district of Karnataka. Various media reports stated that after receiving complaints about loud music being played at a Mehendi function, a team of policemen led by a Sub-Inspector of Police allegedly stormed into the Mehendi function being held in the house of Gulabi and assaulted the bridegroom and others at Kotatattu village on the night of 27 December 2021. The police team led by Sub-Inspector Santosh attached to Kota Police Station resorted to a lathicharge against Gulabi’s family members and others who were attending the event. Nine innocent people, including the bridegroom identified as Rajesh, have suffered injuries in the lathicharge. Further, the bridegroom was allegedly taken to the police station and beaten up. Even women and children were not spared during the lathi-charge.

The abuse of power by the accused police personnel is a gross human rights violation and therefore, the Indigenous Rights Advocacy Centre (IRAC) has sought the intervention of the National Human Rights Commission and has filed a complaint before the Commission.

Image: https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Mangalore/bridegroom-invitees-suffer-injuries-as-police-storm-into-mehndi-function/article38058803.ece