CM holds KFD, PFI responsible for Mysore violence

Keeps mum on involvement of Sri Ram Sene

However, the Opposition members directly alleged that a recent inflammatory speech made by the Sri Ram Sene’s Pramod Muthalik instigated a section of the people to resort to violence. But the CM just said, “the Government will bring all those responsible to the book and ensure an impartial probe.” But He did not make any comment for or against the Sene. The issue was also raised by the Opposition in the Legislative Council.

The CM also alleged the Mysore incident was a “conspiracy” by the KFD and the PFI to tarnish the image of the “pro-development” Government. “We have sufficient proof to establish that these two organisations tried to stir peace in Mysore. A report has been sent against them (organisations) to the Centre. We have also asked the Centre to take appropriate action against them,” he stated.

Never in the history of the State, the CM said, hundreds of people have come from other States to stage a protest. “Their (two organisations) intention was to create trouble in the cultural capital and nothing else. Even police personnel were attacked with lethal weapons, he alleged and added that the police are investigating into all issues, including dropping of a piglet at a place of worship that led to the violence.

Home Minister V S Acharya said holding a judicial probe will only delay the investigation. Many judicial probes ordered in the past have not completed their job yet.  “The police are competent enough to conduct the probe. Six police teams have been constituted for investigation. We have already zeroed in on culprits, but they are absconding. Soon they will be arrested,” he stated.

Statistics on violence

The Minister also refuted the Opposition charges that incidents of communal violence have increased after the BJP came to power, by disclosing year-wise statistics of number of communal violence in the State. Accordingly, 14 incidents of communal violence had taken place in 2007, killing six persons and injuring 202. In 2008, 16 cases took place, 1 killed and 102 persons were injured. In 2009, eight incidents have taken place, killing three and injuring 38.

Acharya while replying on the issue in the Council, said the Sri Ram Sene has nothing to do with Mysore incidents.

Earlier, raising the issue, Opposition leader in the Assembly Siddaramaiah alleged negligence and failure on the part of police led to communal violence, resulting in the death of three persons in Mysore.

Siddaramaiah said had the local police in Udayagiri, the epicentre of the violence, been a little more alert, they could have spotted the trouble brewing and taken preventive action. However, the police committed a blunder by withdrawing bandobast when Alima Education Trust went ahead with the construction of a school on July 1.

Tanvir Sait, MLA from Narasimahraja constituency in Mysore where violence took place, alleged non-bailable cases have been booked against 87 members belonging to a community, while eight bailable cases have been booked against those belonging to another. This kind of disparity in dealing with culprits has led to tension, he alleged.

Protesting the Government’s stand, opposition members in both Houses staged a walk out.