Venkatesh Naik, president of the BJP controlled Taluk Panchayat in Hagari Bommanahalli, has sought police protection apprehending a threat to his life from Congress MLA and former Minister P.T. Parmeshwar Naik and Nemiraj Naik, BJP leader and former MLA.
Mr. Venkatesh Naik met R. Chetan, Superintendent of Police, and submitted a complaint in which he has said that three unsuccessful attempts were made to finish him off unable to tolerate his rise politically. Also, he was an aspirant for the party’s ticket to contest from Hagari Bommanahalli Assembly constituency, he has said.
“On Thursday, BJP district unit president Channabasavana Gowda convened preliminary meeting over organising the party’s Parivartana Yatra. Mr. Nemiraj Naik, who was also present, took objections over other party leaders deciding to put up flex banners with their photographs along with State and national party leaders.
This led to an argument and Mr. Nemiraj Naik was asked in which capacity he was objecting to this move. At this juncture, Mr. Nemiraj Naik rushed towards me and tried to assault me,” Mr. Venkatesh Naik told presspersons.
“With three earlier attempts on my life and the fresh attack by Mr. Nemiraj Naik, I am under the grip of fear to move about freely apprehending one more attempt on my life. Therefore, I met Mr. Chetan and sought police protection, by way of allotting gunmen. I have also said that in case of any untoward thing occurring to me or to my family members, Mr. Nemiraj Naik, Mr. Parmeshwar Naik, and a few others, should be held responsible. I have requested the police to initiate legal action against these people,” he said.
Mr. Chetan, according to Mr. Venkatesh Naik, has assured him of looking into the matter besides instructing the Circle Inspector of Police to take necessary steps for giving protection to him.
