'We will not Allow Terrorism in the State': Home Minister M P Prakash
Exclusive Interview
Dubai, Nov 11: Karnataka home minister M P Prakash has arrived in Dubai to participate in the Suvarna Karnataka Rajyotsava Celebration in Abu Dhabi.
He has received a rousing welcome at the Dubai airport by patron of Karnataka Sangha and NRI entrepreneur B R Shetty, Karnataka Sangha Abu Dhabi chief Sarvotham Shetty and office-bearers, members of Karnataka Sangha and mediapersons
Recently Karnataka is in the news for various reasons, be it violence in Mangalore, terrorism threat in Bangalore, Kumaraswamy son issue, BJP's role or anything. Indeed home minister M P Prakash is the man in focus.
On the one side he has been asked to resign by the opposition for the violence that took place in Mangalore, and on the other, there was a private defamation suit filed by MLC G Janardhana Reddy.
Walter Nandalike (Editor-in-chief, Daijiworld.com) and B G Mohandas (Editor-in-chief, Gulfvarthe.com) had the privilege of speaking to the home minister on a few important issues.
Walter: What measures have you taken to prevent any communal violence similar to the one that took place in early October? Do you give special attention to Mangalore now?
MPP: Oh yes, what happened in Mangalore was really sad. As all of you know, the situation is completely back to normal now, though there is dissension between two communities. We assure that such things will not be happen again. Mangalore is a growing city, where ONGC and other major projects have just arrived. It is growing. The best thing that happened was the arrival of the international flight. Our security agencies will ably handle if any such situation recurs in future. Let us hope that Mangalore will be calm and cool forever as before.
Walter: We have heard that Mangalore is going to get a full-fledged commissioner. What is the status now? When will the city have a full-fledged police commissioner?
MPP: Yes, you are right. The proposal is with the government. We are awaiting finance department's approval as this is going to cost our treasury. Once the finance matter is approved, the matter will be put forth for the approval of the cabinet. In 2007 we must have a police commissioner in Mangalore. We are seriously following up this case.
Home minister with Daijiworld's Abu Dhabi correspondent Oswald D`Souza
Walter: We read the news yesterday that you have pointed out Bangalore is on top spot for terrorism threat. How do you handle this situation?
MPP: Well, we have our intelligence force in the state and we have received some valuable Information that anti-social elements are trying create imbalance in the progress of the state. As you may be aware we have already arrested two people in this regard. I have sent an alert to our security officers. I have also informed honourabel CM Kumaraswamy regarding this. We have left no stone unturned in handling such a situation. Bangalore is known as Silicon City, and the security of our capital is our top priority. We will never allow terrorism to enter Bangalore. We are ready to face such a threat
Home minister with B G Mohandas
Prakash also spoke to Daijiworld well-wisher and chief of Gulfvarthe.com B G Mohandas. Prakash has full praise for Gulf Kannadigas. He said Kannadigas in the Gulf have sacrificed a lot for the state, they bring in a lot of foreign exchange, thereby help the economic development of the state.
"I am happy to note the Kannadigas in UAE are united and always keep the Kannada language and tradition alive."
He has special praise for B R Shetty, the leading entrepreneur and Sarvothama Shetty, the chief of Karnataka Sangha Abu Dhbai for their dedicated mission for Kannadigas in UAE.
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