DK Human rights activist condoled

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, July 22, 2015 :  A well attended condolence and protest meet  on the unusual death of  David D’Souza, late  president of Dakshina Kannada unit of  PUCL - People’s Union for Civil Liberties, who died in  Mangaluru Rural Police station on July 2.  The gathering to pay homage was held at Sahodaya hall July 21. 

As per earlier media reports, David D’Souza (63 yrs) was reported dead after he went in his capacity as president of DK-PUCL to mediate between Stany and Cynthia  at the Mangaluru Rural police station on the evening of July 2. It is alleged that a heated argument developed before the Station Inspector among the parties and in the heat of matters David was  manhandled.  He was dragged  out of the Inspector’s room and a witness saw him struggling and shouting before  collapsing and lying motionless.

He was shifted to a nearby hospital.  Many have expressed that the death was untimely, sudden and suspicious, the PUCL DK protested strongly and have made representations to concerned authorities.  It is shocking that a human rights out fit has received no concern.

 PUCL  national vice-president P.B. D’Sa who attended the meet  said late David  D’Souza was in the forefront of fight against violation of human rights in the city for several years now.  He successfully took up at least 50 cases of human rights violations here. PUCL Karnataka’s vice-president Suresh Bhat Bakrabial, PUCL Karnataka’s State secretary V. Lakshminarayana, K.L. Ashok from Komu Souharda Vedike, DYFI - Democratic Youth Federation of India State president Muneer Katipalla, and activist Dinesh Hegde Ullepady also spoke. 

Basically all speakers expressed grave concerns on the death of  David D’Souza and said that the value that ’human rights’  has been allotted in the system is undermined by the police and Govt. If no respect is accorded to credible activists what is the future of democracy?  There is a complete lack of ’people friendly’ approach by police officials and administration. In the case of David it is surprising that not only no proper report has been given but also peoples representatives have failed to raise their voice for human rights.

The death was termed as a serious human rights violation and strong demands that the Govt must investigate and report as per norms of law.  Further, serious action is being looked into state wide it was stated.