Hubballi police detain 10, including AKSSA chief, ahead of exam protest
The Hubballi police on Tuesday detained 10 members of the All Karnataka State Students Association (AKSSA), including its president, Kantakumar, ahead of a proposed peaceful protest in the city. The activists were demanding a re-examination of the Civil Police Constable recruitment test, citing irregularities in the examination process.
The detention took place before the activists could reach the protest venue at the garden in Michigan Compound. On Monday, the AKSSA had announced that it would stage the demonstration under the leadership of Mr. Kantakumar. However, the police denied permission for the event.
To maintain order, Police Commissioner N. Shashikumar deployed more than 400 personnel, including Deputy Commissioners of Police, Assistant Commissioners of Police, and Inspectors. Security was tightened in the Saptapur, Jayanagar, and Srinagar areas as a precautionary measure.
Police teams had been searching for Mr. Kantakumar since Tuesday morning. As he did not appear at the protest venue even by noon, the police traced him to a coaching centre and took him into custody. He was later taken to Hubballi. In a related action, nine leaders from other districts, who had arrived to support the protest, were also detained near Michigan Compound.
Leaders of the AKSSA condemned the police action, stating that the authorities had suppressed a peaceful protest against irregularities in the recruitment process. They argued that the demand for a re-examination was legitimate and that the detentions were an attempt to silence dissent.
Speaking to presspersons, Police Commissioner Mr. Shashikumar defended the action, saying that the 10 people, including Mr. Kantakumar, were detained as a precautionary measure after the organisation announced plans to hold a protest in Dharwad. “The organisation staged protests in the past during which several untoward incidents have occurred. Keeping this in mind, permission was not granted for the protest. Despite this, it announced that it will go ahead with the demonstration. Hence, 10 people, including Mr. Kantakumar, were detained as a preventive measure,” he said.
The detentions come amid growing concerns over the conduct of the Civil Police Constable recruitment examination. The AKSSA and other student bodies have alleged malpractices, including question paper leaks and irregularities in evaluation. The Karnataka government has not yet responded to the demand for a re-test, leaving the matter unresolved.
Earlier, similar protests in the state have led to disruptions, prompting authorities to adopt a stringent approach. However, civil liberties groups have often criticised preventive detentions, arguing that they curtail the fundamental right to peaceful assembly. In this case, the police maintained that their action was necessary to prevent potential unrest, while the AKSSA insisted that the protest would have remained peaceful.
The situation in Hubballi has remained calm since the detentions, with no fresh incidents reported. The detainees are expected to be released after questioning, though no formal charges have been mentioned. The AKSSA has said it will continue its agitation through legal means and may approach the court to challenge the denial of permission and the detentions.
