Bengaluru, Nov 22 (DHNS): BJP MLC Ashwathnarayana on Friday said that the government was demoralising the police force by withdrawing cases against members of outfits like Popular Front of India (PFI) and Karnataka Forum for Dignity (KFD).

Speaking in the Legislative Council during the adjournment motion on law and order, the MLC said that in a majority of instances, police, by risking their lives, had arrested “rowdy elements” belonging to these outfits.

The government, however, without even bothering to consult the police or law department, had been taking decisions in the Cabinet to withdraw cases against such elements.

Leader of Opposition K S Eshwarappa said the Shivamogga police had given a detailed report to former Home minister K J George about “hooligans” from Kerala trying to create unrest in the district by shouting pro-Pakistan slogans and attacking people. “How can the government withdraw cases against goondas and traitors like them,” he demanded.

Ashwathnarayana also said that it had come to fore that the majority of bomb blasts, whether in Bengaluru or elsewhere, were traced to Bhatkal or Pune.

The MLC said that a Mumbai resident Indrajit Singh Rathore was a victim of police intimidation as he was married to a Muslim. Rathore’s wife, who came to visit her parents in Bengaluru sometime ago, had been “forcefully” held back from her husband.

Ashwathnarayana also alleged that an influential politician was behind the incident. Rathore was threatened of dire consequences if he tried to meet his wife and 8-year-old daughter. After running from pillar to post, Rathore met AICC vice president Rahul Gandhi. The MLC appealed to Parameshwara to look into the matter and come to Rathore’s aid.

Congress MLC V S Ugrappa demanded that the government order a CBI probe into writer M M Kalburgi’s murder.