Kidnap and assault of farmer: Villagers accuse Police of not arresting culprits

Periyapatna: Residents of Hemmige village in the taluk have accused the Periyapatna Police of not arresting the culprits who allegedly kidnapped and assaulted a farmer of the village reportedly over a financial dispute. H.R. Ganesh, a farmer of Hemmige in the taluk, had come to Periyapatna town on Oct. 14 to buy groundnuts, when he was allegedly kidnapped by motorbike borne kidnappers. The kidnappers are said to have first taken Ganesh towards Ravandur side and later he was found with his hands and legs tied at M.M. Hills forest in Kollegal taluk by cattle-grazers who informed the matter to the jurisdictional Ramapura Police. Ganesh, in his complaint to Periyapatna Police, had named Anukumar, Ramesh of Hemmige and Swamy Gowda of Devegowdana Koppalu as the suspects in his kidnap and assault. He had also said in his complaint that the trio had entered into a verbal duel with him a few days ago over payment of balance amount of Rs. 2.8 lakh in connection with purchase of land. Hemmige villagers allege that the Periyapatna Police had failed to arrest the accused even four days after the registration of FIR. Meanwhile, Periyapatna CPI H.N. Siddaiah said the incident is said to have occurred due to a financial dispute over purchase of land. The complainant Ganesh has named 3 persons as the suspects. Investigation into the case has begun and the accused will soon be brought to book.