Mangalore: Vested Interests added Communal Color to Ullal clashes: Minister K J George

By Staff Correspondent
Pics by John V Tauro
Bellevision Media Network

Mangalore, 13 Feb 2014: ‘The residents of Dakshina Kannada district are peace loving. The recent unrest at Ullal, here was not communal violence, but clashes among individuals. However, the incident was blown apart to project it as communal flare up for political gains. The police have done a good job in curbing the law and order disturbance,’ said state home minister K J George.

 

Addressing the media persons at state-run guest house and later at District Congress Committee (DCC) office, here on Wednesday February 12, the minister further said, ‘We have discussed Ullal issue and other incidents that have taken place in the district, and instructed the police to take appropriate preventive measures if similar incidences recur in future,’ said minister George.

 

‘The anti-social elements, who provoked the Ullal clashes have no caste or religion. They just know to loot people and create problems. Congress has no difference of caste or religion. Whenever there is even an indication of a clash, a peace meeting should be convened at the very earliest,’ said minister George to his party activists.

 

 

‘We cannot give orders to police when they are doing their duty, we should intervene only when they need our help,’ said minister George adding, ‘I assure that the innocents among those arrested in Ullal clashes will be issued bail and the guilty ones will be punished,’ stressed minister George.

 

The minister George urged public support to the state administration and  the police in curbing moral policing and clashes.

 

On media persons query on Naxal issue, minister George said talks are under way to try to bring naxals into the mainstream. ‘Both CM Siddaramaiah and I have clear views on this. If Naxals want to come to the mainstream in a democratic way, they are welcome. But if they want to resist talks and want to fight, we have Anti-Naxal Force (ANF) in place to tackle them and take appropriate action,’ said minister George.

 

Replying to a query on underworld activities thriving in the district, the minister George said many businessmen have been receiving threats and investigation is in progress in this regard. ‘I cannot reveal details to the media. The Interpol has been provided with information as a few of the underworld elements are operating form overseas,’ added minister George.

 

The minister George further said that there had been no police recruitment for the past 4 years, but this year 8,500 police personnel had been recruited.

 

Mangalore south MLA J R Lobo at DCC office, said, ‘This is the second visit to the city by the home minister. In the recent past several incidents have taken place in the district and the Congress government is doing its best to take control of the situation. We assure our support always in maintaining law and order situation,’ said MLA Lobo.

 

‘The city faced so many problems earlier, but ever since Congress government came to power, it has been developing,’ added MLA Lobo.

 

MLA Lobo urged minister George to take early measures in expanding district sub-jail and also provide better accommodation to police force.

 

The state minister Abaychandra Jain, Mohammed Basheer, Ibrahim Kodijal, G A Bava, P V Mohan, Sasidhar Hegde, Mamata Gatti and others were present.

 

The minister George then visited Western Range IGP) Pratap Reddy and held discussions.

 

Later, the minister George inaugurated the new office of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) at Pandeshwar.