Haveri firing: Panel submits report

Justice Shetty, who conducted the probe, submitted the report to Home Minister V S Acharya.

The panel was set up by the Government after a farmers’ agitation led to violence in which two died in the police firing.

Acharya, who refused to divulge the report’s contents, said it would be discussed in the State Cabinet before it is tabled in the Assembly. He, however, said that “the recommendations would be implemented.”

The Opposition parties have demanded the report be made public. Besides, the report has aroused interest as both BJP Haveri MLA Nehru Olekar and the district deputy commissioner had deposed before the commission that the victims were not farmers.

While Olekar had termed the victims “trouble-makers” and “drunkards,” the DC had called them “goons” and “rioters” who had gathered only to create trouble.

The police firing, barely two weeks after the first-ever BJP Government assumed office, drew sharp criticism from Opposition parties.

During the 18-month probe, several witnesses, including politicians, deposed before the Commission.