Home minister directs police to act tough on communal goons

Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy on Friday directed the senior police officials of Malnad and coastal districts to take stringent action against those instigating communal violence in the region.

Taking stock of law and order situation in the Dakshina Kannada, Uttara Kannada, Udupi and Chikkamagaluru districts in a meeting held with the senior police officials of the aforementioned districts at Police Commissioner's office here, the Home minister told the police to act tough against both Hindu and Muslim goondas.

With the Assembly elections round the corner, the communal forces have become active. They try to gain political mileage by exploiting religious sentiments. The police should prepare a list of goons involved in creating communal disturbance and should constantly monitor their movements, The Home minister told the police officers.

During the meeting, the Home minister obtained the detailed information from the police officers on the communal clashes reported in Karwar, Sirsi and Mangaluru city. The police officials also apprised the minister on a girl committing suicide due to the alleged harassment by the Bajarang Dal and BJP leaders in Mudigere.

Mangaluru Police Commissioner T R Suresh, IGP (West zone) Arun Chakravarthy, Dakshina Kannada SP C H Sudhirkumar Reddy, Udupi SP Lakshman Nimbargi, Uttara Kannada SP Vinayak Patil, Chikkamagaluru Addl SP K H Jagadish among others were present in the meeting.

Later in the day, to a query on banning the communal outfits, the Home minister said, "We have to take action against both Hindu and Muslim organisation involved in instigating religious sentiments. PFI, SDPI and a few Hindu outfits are said to have involved in creating communal disturbance in the coastal districts. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is busy touring state for Sadhana Samavesha. An appropriate decision will be taken once he returns from the tour."

The Home minister heaped praise on the Dakshina Kannada police for arresting the culprits in three cases reported in the recent past.