As the unrest in coastal district of Dakshina Kannada in Karnataka over the murder of an RSS activist has set off the political blame game, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has asked police to take stringent action against communal forces disturbing the law and order situation in the district. He said in Bengaluru on Monday that coastal Karnataka, a place known for educated, peace loving and cultured citizens, is being used as testing lab by the communal forces to promote their agenda.
Siddaramaiah said after holding a review meeting on the recent violence with the top police and other officials his Government was pained by the incident and directed the police to identify the people who were instigating the violence.
He said police should take strict action against the communal forces irrespective of the community they belong, “I have given full freedom to the police to take strict action. The police should identify the communal forces, who are polarising the society keeping the upcoming elections in mind, and invoke Goonda act and extern those involved in the violence,” he added.
He asked the top police officials including the Director General and Inspector General of Police to visit the area to take stock of the situation and based on their report action will be taken.
Earlier, in a close-door review meeting with the senior police officers chief minister blasted the jurisdictional police officers for failing to contain the violence. “Why didn’t the senior police officers take action against those who instigated the communal violence,” he asked the police. “The people who disrupt communal harmony have not yet been arrested and I have suggested this to be done”, he added. He further said that perpetuators are being granted bail for serious offences and the police needs to be careful about it.
The Congress leader urged the police to be citizen friendly and incite fear of law inside the offenders.
Earlier on Saturday, RSS demanded an impartial probe on the death of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) worker Sharath. RSS spokesperson Rajesh Parmar said Sharath's murder was the 12th such killing in Karnataka in the last four years.
“This increasing number of murders in Karnataka and other southern states are shocking and we want the Karnataka Government to take strict and immediate action, so that the culprit is punished, law and order is maintained and a peaceful environment is provided for the social activists in Karnataka,” he said.
Senior BJP leader and lok Sabha member Shobha Kharandlje alleged that police failure to act immediately after attack on RSS worker in Kalladka on May 26 led to flare up of communal tension in Dakshina Kannada District.
She said that this situation would not have occurred if the police had taken suitable action in the beginning itself. The incident has exposed the incompetence of the police.
The BJP leader said that the Dakshna Kannada people have right to protest against the anti-social elements and atrocities against them but the local police could not give the permission for it in the name of law and order situation and proclaimed 144 crpc but allowed Chief Minister program at the same time.
She demanded a ban on PFI and KFD organizations as they were allegedly involved in the killing of RSS workers. She said Police are targeting Hindu youth and registering cases against them due to pressure from the government and a minister from that district. “On the one hand, police are saying that innocent people will not be arrested, while on the other hand they are arresting only Hindu youths. Congress is playing politics of appeasement for vote bank. We have so far maintained peace, but our patience too has a limit. The police should stop arresting innocent people and take action against genuine culprits,” she added.