Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru
Mangaluru, May 29: The state government has issued orders to establish a Special Task Force (STF) to counter disruptive communal elements in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, and Shivamogga districts.
Communal clashes have occurred repeatedly in the coastal districts, affecting law and order and tarnishing the image of the administration. In view of this, home minister Dr G Parameshwara had recently announced in Mangaluru that an STF would be formed to bring such incidents under control.
Proposals for the deployment of the STF, including recommendations from respective police superintendents and commissioners, had been submitted earlier.
According to intelligence reports, some Naxals from Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand are reportedly relocating to border areas in Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. Based on this, the intelligence department has recommended the reallocation of some officers and staff from the existing Anti-Naxal Force (ANF) to form the STF.
The ANF currently has 667 sanctioned posts. Of these, 248 posts will now be reassigned to the STF, while 376 posts will continue with the ANF for the next three years.
The STF will include the following personnel: one DIGP, one DySP (civil), one assistant commandant, four PIs/RPIs, 16 PSIs/RSIs/SIs, 60 CHCs, 150 CPCs/EPCs, and 15 support staff.
The newly formed Special Task Force will consist of three companies, which will be stationed in Udupi, Shivamogga, and Dakshina Kannada districts.