New Delhi, May 20, 2022 (PPI-OT):The police officer in Indian state of Karnataka’s Kaduga district who lodged the FIR against Bajrang Dal for organising illegal arms training camp earlier this month has reportedly been transferred. Though senior officials maintain that his transfer has been done following multiple complaints by locals, there are apprehensions that the move is an act of reprisal for his action against the extremist outfit which shares ideological relations with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.

The inspector had issued notice to the organisers of ‘Shourya Prashikshana Varga’ event to join the investigation and explain why they organised the arms training camp without seeking police permission.

The training camp was held between May 5 and May 13 at Sai Shankar Educational Institute in the district’s Ponnampet area. The group’s leaders distributed weapons, including firearms, among close to 100 young hindutva supporters. Hindu priests in attendance at the event performed Ayudha Puja or weapon worshipping.

The event was attended by local BJP MLA Appachu Ranjan and Raghu Sakleshpur, a prominent Hindutva hate figure. When the visuals of the training surfaced on social media it sparked outcry among activists and opposition.

Congress leader Siddaramaiah said that “arms training in Madikeri to young members of Bajrang Dal has challenged the law of our land”. “Do we have a home minister or education minister in Karnataka? Is the government still alive?” Siddaramaiah questioned.

The transfer of the officer following action against Hindutva supporters is the second such incident in the last few weeks in Karnataka. Earlier, in the last week of April, four police officials in Mangalore were suspended after they allegedly assaulted Bajrang Dal men at the Bajpe police station. The men were accused of assaulting a coconut vendor.

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