Mounesh Vishwakarma
Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal (EP)

Bantwal, Dec 5: "Dakshina Kannada is known to be a communally sensitive district, but in the next three years, we must turn it into a place that would be known for communal harmony. In this direction, public groups and associations, educational institutes, the media and people in general should take special initiative," said DSP Dr Sharanappa.

He was speaking in an interactive session with the media organized as part of the silver jubilee celebrations of Bantwal taluk working journalists' association here on Friday, December 4.

"As many as 28 villages in the district are Naxal-affected. Naxals are trying to establish themselves in the border areas of Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. We have kept a keen watch on them. Naxal activities are not found anywhere else, except a visit to a house in Beltangady in June this year. Nevertheless the police department has remained cautious," he said.

"Sometimes, the power of the press is being misused by some who are not reporters of any news agency. The police department has come forward to issue stickers to register working journalists through registered bodies. This way, it is possible to prevent misuse of the press," said SP Sharanappa.

"People should unite and work with the police department for public welfare. Educated youth who are misled should be guided to get jobs and proceed in right path. Nearly 70 percent of innocent people become victims in criminal cases. People experience hardships. In order to maintain peace and order in the district, everybody should join hands with the police. The part played by the media is important during unrest. They should convey the right message to people. Change is possible when all join hands. There is scarcity of staff in the police department. We have asked for 323 additional staff. Duties have increased but manpower has not," he said.

He also released press stickers by the Bantwal police sub division for working journalists' associations of Bantwal and Beltangady.

Puttur ASP Rishyanth, Bantwal acting ASP Bhaskar Rai, district working journalists' association chief secretary Srinivasa Nayak Indaje, Beltangady taluk working journalists' association chief secretary Bhuvanesh Gerukatte, silver jubilee celebration committee president Ibrahim Adkasthala, convener Venkatesh Bantwal, association chief secretary Nishanth Billampadavu, town SI Nanda Kumar and others were present.

Association president Mounesh Vishwakarma welcomed. Silver jubilee celebration committee chief secretary Sandeep Salian proposed the vote of thanks. Press Club secretary Gopala Anchan compered the programme.