Strict action against moral police, says Ramanath Rai

If necessary, Goonda Act may be invoked, says district-in-charge minister

 District-in-Charge Minister Ramanath Rai has said that strict action will be initiated against those who indulge in moral policing activities in Dakshina Kannada district, thereby affecting law and order in the district.

Speaking to mediapersons here on Saturday, he said that in case of necessity, the police will consider invoking of Goonda (The Karnataka Prevention of Dangerous Activities of Bootleggers, Drug Offenders, Gamblers, Goondas, Immoral Traffic Offenders and Slum Grabbers) Act against members of a few organisations that were trying to disturb peace in the district.

Stating that the Congress believes in secular principles, he said that the Congress and the government will condemn all kind of moral policing acts irrespective of caste, creed and religion.

“I have already spoken to the Police Commissioner and Additional Superintendent of Police, and have directed them to act tough against trouble mongers in the district.”

On opposition levelling rumours against Ministers in the district supporting the accused in Deralakatte incident, he said “rumour mongers are anti-nationals. If minorities become communal, then it is a threat to the community, if the majority become communal, then it is a threat to the nation.”

“If the police show negligence attitude in registering a case pertaining to moral policing, then he will have to face music. However, the police have swung into action in arresting the culprits involved in kidnapping and blackmailing of medical college students in Deralakatte. In the past, there were instances wherein moral policing incidents have taken place in the presence of the police. However, the situation has changed now,” he said.

The Congress government in the State will not tolerate moral policing in the State. To a query on mounting pressure on the police to not to act against the accused, the Minister said: “I have not asked the police to shield anyone.  Moral policing incidents have brought disgrace to the district.”

PFI flays

In a separate press release, Popular Front of India (PFI) has urged the City Police Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner to initiate legal action against those who were involved in kidnapping and blackmailing of two students in Deralakatte.

Popular Front of India district President A M Athaulla said “such incidents have taken place in the past, wherein rich entrepreneurs were arrested and blackmailed for money. The police department has failed to act tough against such miscreants. It is a tragedy that Muslim youth are engaged in such acts. If such incidents recur, then the PFI will initensify its protest.”

Meanwhile, Jamath Islami Hind women’s wing state convener Shameera Jahan has said that the Deralakatte incident has made all the students to bow their head in shame. The police should act tough against the culprits.

“Such incidents have created insecurity feeling among the female students. There is a need to work towards instiling moral values in the society,” she added.