Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Dec 25: Backtracking on an earlier announcement of Rs 10 lac as compensation to the families of the two persons who died in the police firing during the protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), chief minister B S Yeddurappa on Wednesday December 25 asserted that 'not a single rupee' would be given to the families as relief if the deceased were found guilty.

Speaking to mediapersons during his visit to the city here, B S Yediyurappa clarified that no compensation was announced for the families of Jaleel and Nausheen who died in police firing during the protest.

Section 144 had been promulgated in the city and permission was denied to organizations to hold protests on December 19. As the disturbances intensified and tensions mounted, curfew was imposed. On December 19, as the disturbances escalated, the police had to open fire.

Two men, Jaleel land Nousheen, had lost their lives in the firing. The firing attracted lot of criticism and the Congress had released a video, criticizing the police for the inhuman act. The police also came out with some video clips to prove that they were justified in acting against a mob that was violent.

"As police named the two victims in the FIR with other accused for rioting and damaging public property, the compensation to their families is withdrawn till the inquiry into the firing is over and the guilty booked," Yediyurappa told reporters here.

"Granting compensation to the kin of the accused sends a wrong signal as violence is a crime and against the rule of law. The compensation will be paid if the duo are proved innocent and had no role in the riot," said Yediyurappa.

At a review meeting, the chief minister directed the district police to arrest all those who threw stones on the security personnel and damaged public property on last Thursday.

"Though a CID inquiry has been ordered into the violence and police firing, preliminary investigation revealed that the riot was a conspiracy plotted by vested interests and executed by anti-social elements as the accused tried to barge into the armoury of the police station and loot the firearms. None will be spared," asserted Yediyurappa.

Some of the video clips showed the mob throwing stones at the police, and some miscreants were found having covered their faces with clothes. Thereafter, BJP leaders, Basanagouda Patil Yatnal, some MLAs and ministers had raised objections against disbursing compensation to the families of the deceased, duly pointing out they were accused in the disturbances.

The firing in the city has been going through various developments with each passing day. The issue has evoked curiousness what it holds in the future.