Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)
Updated
Udupi, Nov 25: Home minister K J George on Tuesday November 25 inaugurated the new building of the administrative office of the Coast Guard at Malpe here. His visit was marked by angry protests by the BJP earlier in the morning.
He also symbolically inaugurated 12 police quarters at Shivalli by handing over their keys to police personnel.
Addressing the gathering, George said, "Though terrorists are less in number now, they are indulging in activities aimed at disrupting peace. In Karnataka, the law and order system is very good."
On BJP's repeated demand for resignation of 'tainted' ministers over allegations of land scam, he said, "BJP's allegations against Congress ministers are unwarranted. Were they not facing allegations during their tenure in the state? They should first remember their past actions."
Regarding increasing number of rape cases in the state, he said, "When there is a rape, first an FIR should be registered. The police officials should then give necessary instructions to the personnel on duty. We have already established three fast track courts. The court should see to it that the guilty is punished without delay."
Commenting on BJP's repeated demand for his resignation, George said, "It is easy to ask resignation, but there should be some sense and good reason for it. It is we who are accountable to the public. If we commit mistakes, Sonia Gandhi will not keep us in the party. It is wrong to seek resignation."
On the shortage of staff in the security departments, he said, "There was a shortage of 22,000 personnel. We have already recruited 8,500, out of which 4,500 have adequate training facilities and the rest will be given additional facilities soon. To balance the shortage, we have recruited 7,000 home guards."
"As many as 11,500 tenders have been called for the construction of police quarters in the state, out of which 200 are for Udupi alone," he added.
Udupi MLA Pramod Madhwaraj in his address appealed to the home minister to provide fire engines to the Malpe police station and new police jeeps. He said the police are still using 1983 model jeeps and there is an urgent requirement of brand new vehicles. George promised to fulfil these demands within 15 days and said that already permission had been given to provide 400 new vehicles to police forces across the state.
District incharge minister Vinay Kumar Sorake also spoke on the occasion.
Advisor to home minister Kempaiah, CMC president P Yuvaraj, IGP (western range) Amrit Paul, SP Rajendra Prasad, commanader S S Ravanth, commanader R Vinay and others were present.
On BJP protest
Speaking on the sidelines of the programme, George referred to the protest by BJP prior to his visit to Udupi and said, "In democracy everyone has the right to protest, but it should be peaceful and sensible.
"I will not tender my resignation. Right from day one since I took oath as minister, there have been demands for my resignation. I have no idea why," he said.
On the 'Kiss of Love' campaign Bengaluru, he said, "The government has given approval, but it should not go against the Indian culture or promote immorality. If the participants indulge in immoral acts, the police are free to take action."
When asked about the progress in the mysterious death case of Nandita in Thirthahalli, he declined to comment and said he was awaiting the CID report. On the disappearance of teenager Ishika Shetty from a residential school, he said police investigation is on.
When journalists asked his opinion on minister D K Shivakumar's reported orders to ban TV9 and News9 channels in the state, George said it was a matter between cable operators and TV9, and the government should not interfere. "If D K Shivakumar has given such an order, they you should go and ask him," he told reporters.
Earlier Report
Udupi: BJP protests against K J George with black flags, several arrested
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (UM)
Udupi, Nov 25: Scores of BJP members and activists of BJP Yuva Morcha on Tuesday November 25 protested against home minister K J George, shortly before his scheduled visit to Udupi.
K J George is visiting Udupi to inaugurated the new building of the Coast Guard administrative office at Malpe.
The protestors gathered near the gate of Malpe port and showed black flags, shouting slogans against the home minister.
The activists of BJP Yuva Morcha, which gave the call for the protest, demanded the resignation of four 'tainted' ministers - K J George, Qamarul Islam, Mahadeva Prasad and Dinesh Gundu Rao over allegations of land grab.
The police intervened and seized the black flags and stopped the protestors from gatecrashing into Malpe port.
Around 20 to 30 protestors were arrested and taken away in police vans.
The police have beefed up the security at the spot by putting up barricades and cordons.
Shyamala Kunder, Gladys Almeida, Yashpal Suvarna and others were part of the protest.
More details awaited.