Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (JS)

Mangaluru, Sep 7: Home minister K J George on Monday September 7 said that rowdyism in any form cannot be justified and those who make provocative remarks to create law and order problems would be stringently dealt with.

He was speaking to reporters at the Circuit House here during his visit to the district on Monday. Earlier in the day, he inaugurated a police station and a fire station at Sullia, and then a traffic police station in Puttur.

Speaking to media persons K J George said that the police department is doing a good job and the police personnel are working well.

Asked about immoral rowdyism (moral policing) specially in reference to the recent incident at Attavar, the minister said, "There can be no justification for rowdyism in any form, moral or immormal. Firm action will be taken against those who take law into their hands, and if necessary they will be sent to other districts."

When a reporter asked if the government was not showing double standards in ignoring Prof K S Bhagwan's comments against Hinduism on the one hand and arresting Rama Sene chief Prasad Attavar over a Facebook post on the other, he said, "There is a difference between a defamatory statement and a provocative comment. When people make provocative comments threatening to kill someone, it leads to law and order problem. We will file suo motu cases against those who make provocative comments. It is like they are giving a call to create communal disturbance, and action will be taken against them.

"Whereas, for defamatory comments, action will be taken if someone files a complaint and FIR is registered," he added.

When asked about 12 cases from Dakshina Kannada pending with the CID, George said, "I will conduct a review meeting and ask a status report on these cases."

Regarding the murder of Prof M M Kalburgi in Dharwad recently, he said, "CID is investigating the case. We will write to the CBI to take up the case. We have no problem in CBI investigating, as two other similar cases have happened in Maharashtra (murders of rationalists Narendra Dabholkar and Govind Pansare). Nevertheless, our officers are confident of cracking this case."

Asked what steps the government was taking to curb drug menace particularly in Mangaluru, he said, "We have given powers to the SP to tackle the drug menace in the coastal belt. The internal security department is also looking into it and its officials have visited the district and done a review. ADGP Alok Kumar has also visited the district for this purpose."

Regarding steps to strengthen cyber crime police, he said, "We have strengthened the cyber crime department but there is shortage of staff. We have already increased honorary amount to Rs 325 in rural and Rs 400 in urban areas to home guards, and given them other allowances. We have asked the police department to recruit home guards on a temporary basis till new trained personnel are recruited."

District incharge minister Ramanath Rai, ADGP Alok Mohan, IGP (western range) Amrit Paul, deputy commissioner A B Ibrahim, superintendent of police Dr Sharanappa, police commissioner S Murugan and others were present.

Bantwal: K J George meets family of KPPC secretary Badruddin

Mounesh Vishwakarma
Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal (RJP)

Bantwal, Sep 7: Home minister K J George on Monday visited the Brahmarakutlu residence of KPCC secretary Mohammed Badruddin who recently passed away.

Speaking to reporters, George said, "Badruddin was a good leader and he worked tirelessly for the growth of the party. We are deeply hurt by his demise. Congress expresses sympathies to his family and stands by them.

"I cannot forget my association with Mohammed Badruddin, especially when we worked together for Chikkamagaluru constituency. I have come here with the district incharge minister Ramanath Rai to console the family of Badruddin on behalf of the party," George said.