Silvester D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (SP)
Kundapur, Dec 9: Udupi district superintendent of police (SP), Rajendra Prasad, expressed satisfaction at the fact that the environment of tension that had been prevalent in Gangolli since some days has been showing positive signs of improvement, and easing towards normalcy. He stressed that his department will leave no stone unturned towards maintenance of law and order and helping the citizens live in an environment of peace.
He was addressing a peace meeting held in the office of the assistant commissioner here on Monday December 8. Leaders and important personalities from around the taluk had been invited to the meeting.
'Our department firmly believes that the intervention of police and its action towards bringing peace between different groups within the society can at best be only a temporary measure. We believe that different communities should live in harmony through mutual trust, respect, and love for one another. Sometimes situations threaten to go out of hand because of mistrust, rumours, and wrong notions. In these circumstances, veterans in the society should intervene and guide the youth. Police have the powers and potential to use strict legal and other measures to take action against people disturbing peace. However, we have chosen to act with patience and tolerance,' he explained.
The SP asked the concerned to note that people who are driven by the mindset of breaking peace in the society keep seeking one or the other recourse and justification like religion, caste, politics etc for their acts and try to get patronage of the respective leaders. He indirectly told the concerned leaders not to extend support or protection to such forces. He added that the department will be using its full force and power to firmly put down efforts to create disturbances without fear or favour.
In reply to a query, he said steps would be taken to strengthen the police outpost presently functioning from Gangolli town. He said that in course of time, upgradation of this outpost, posting of station house officer and posting additional staff etc will be attended on priority.
Assistant commissioner, Charulata Somal, addressing the participants, opined that digging the past incidents and harping over them will never solve problems. She stressed the need for senior and junior members of the society to bury the hatchet, come together and work towards better days ahead and brighter future.
Veteran Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh leader, Subrahmanya Holla, speaking on the occasion, advised the officials to give importance to locals and take them into confidence while convening peace meetings. He also strongly advocated for the removal of pre-conceived notions between different communities, and the need to realize the ground realities before allowing tempers to fly high.
Irshad and Abdul Hameed, representatives of Gangolli mosque, hoped that the real culprits will be caught once forensic reports are received. They said that the guilty should be punished, and innocent people should not suffer. They felt that the society as a whole should not fall prey to the tactics of vested interests to disturb communal harmony for furthering their selfish political motives.
Congress leader, Raju Devadiga, said that the total opinion of everyone concerned is for an impartial investigation into the incidents. He expressed regret at the fact that his name is being dragged into the issues unnecessarily. He sought to distance himself from the incidents, adding that he has nothing to do with them. Devadiga claimed that he has never visited the police station since the last nine months.
Tahsildar, Gayatri Nayak, and police circle inspectors, Sudarshan and P M Sudarshan, also addressed the meeting, explaining that both revenue and police departments have the onus of maintaining law and order in the society.They promised to use the powers and responsibility legally delegated to them to achieve this end.
Local constituency BJP committee president, Rajesh Kaveri, BJP Yuva Morcha president, Maheshkumar Kody, mosque priests, Qasim, Tabrez etc were present.