Bhatkal: After police created a raid like situation at Sultan street in Bhatkal, citizens registered their disgust and protested against the high handness of police, terming it as a tactic to frighten people.

On Wednesday morning at around 10 AM, police blocked the road near Sultani mosque and started checking vehicles and asking drivers for documents. While the checking itself is common to curb traffic violations, the locals alleged that the manner in which it was carried out made it look like criminals were being nabbed.

A video went viral on social media soon after the incident in which people alleged that the new PSI of the town, Kusumadhara, is particularly targeting Muslim community and was noticed allowing others to drive away with no checking. The citizens expressed their outrage over police for checking in the residential areas and urged them not to do such near mosques and also on Fridays.

Later in the afternoon, a delegation of Bhatkal's most influential NGO Majlis e Islah wa Tanzeem met with the Bhatkal Dy.SP Valentine D’Souza and demanded action against the PSI Kusumadhara for creating panic among citizens.

"If the police officer doesn't overcome from his attitude, then the delegation shall go ahead with complaining to higher officials or he can leave from serving his post here. He should not try to terrorize people. It indicates that the officer is trying to ruin the peaceful atmosphere of Bhatkal", a member of the Tanzeem delegation said. 

The delegation also explained some of the early incidents which took place with the PSI Kusmadhara.

The DySP Valentine D'souza assured the delegation that he will look into the matter. On this occasion Tanzeem General Secretary Altaf Kharuri, Vice President Inayatullah Shabandari, TMC chief Sadique Matta, Azeezur Rahman Nadvi amongst other Tanzeem executives were present