Belthangadi: Deputy Range Forest officer in charge of Ujire range who is accused of physically assaulting Kamaldas was shunted out finally bowing to public pressure by the departmental heads through an official order on October 6.
The order issued by the Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF) Sanjeeva Beru transferred Keethan Shetty from Ujire to a forests depot in Mannagudde near Nelyadi with immediate effect.
Kamladas, a native of Puduvettu was allegedly assaulted by DRFO Keertan Shetty in the most inhuman manner by keeping him in solitary confinement at the forest guest house on September 26. Injured Kamaldas is undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Mangaluru.
Protests erupted soon after the incident demanding justice for innocent Kamal Das. A massive protest was held near the forest guest house on October 3, where all the political parties supported by local organisations united in demanding his suspension. During the massive protests, protestors set a deadline and submitted a petition to senior official Satish setting October 6 as the deadline to initiate action against Keerthan Shetty.
Local MLA Vasnath Bangera addressing the protestors, had assured of action and accordingly the transfer has been effected.
Family members and all those demanding justice heaved a sigh of relief and the incident provided victory for people seeking justice setting aside differences.
