Police Officer's Mangalsutra Goes Missing in Political Protest Melee
A protest by Congress workers in Shivamogga turned chaotic on Thursday, resulting in a distressing personal loss for a police officer on duty. Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Amritabai, stationed at the Kote police station, lost her 60-gram gold mangalsutra during the scuffle that erupted outside the local BJP office.
Protest Over National Herald Case Erupts into Chaos
The incident occurred when Congress workers gathered to demonstrate against the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) probe into the National Herald case and what they termed the harassment of party leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. The protesters also voiced opposition to the renaming of the MNREGA scheme. The situation escalated as some attempted to storm the BJP office, prompting police intervention to disperse the crowd.
In the ensuing melee, ASI Amritabai, who was performing her duty to manage the protest, found her precious gold chain missing. The chain was a recent purchase, and the officer was reportedly visibly distraught over the loss. The protest, which was intended to highlight political grievances, unfortunately culminated in a personal tragedy for the policewoman.
Police Launch Investigation into the Incident
Shivamogga Superintendent of Police GK Mithun Kumar addressed the media following the incident. He confirmed that the police are actively investigating the matter. "We are reviewing the CCTV footage from the area to determine whether the chain was stolen or simply misplaced in the chaos," stated SP Kumar. This review is crucial to ascertain the exact sequence of events that led to the loss of the valuable ornament.
The incident has sparked a broader conversation about the safety of police personnel in such volatile situations. It highlights the risks they face beyond physical harm, including the threat of chain-snatching and theft even while they are engaged in maintaining public order. The loss of a mangalsutra, a symbol of marital status for many Indian women, adds a significant emotional dimension to the event.
As the investigation continues, the focus remains on the CCTV footage to bring clarity to the unfortunate episode that marred the political protest in Shivamogga.
