Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)

Updated

Mangaluru, May 2: Home minister Dr G Parameshwara on Tuesday May 2 said that the law and order situation in Mangaluru was relatively better now, and that he has instructed the police to be more vigilant and deal strictly with law-breakers.

Addressing a press meet at the district Congress office here, Parameshwara said, "Compared to previous years, the law and order situation here (Mangaluru) is better now, but it can be better still. I have instructed the police to be more vigilant and deal strictly with anyone who goes against the law, irrespective of whether that persons belongs to any party or organization," he added.

On the murder of Karopadi gram panchayat vice-president Abdul Jaleel, whose bereaved family he had visited earlier in the day, Parameshwara said, "So far police have succeeded in arresting 11 persons and investigation is on. As per the information available, chargesheet will be filed soon."

Regarding the alleged police atrocity on Ahmed Qureshi, an accused in an attempt-to-murder case, the home minister said, "CoD inquiry is going on, once it is done, truth will be revealed whether atrocity took place or not."

When asked about the lapse by the local police in the investigation into the Karthik Raj murder case, he said, "Investigation was done and truth has come out. The police have arrested 11 persons. In some cases it takes time as it depends on the situation. Some cases are solved in two days. Even in Bengaluru ATM attack case, it took some years for the police to crack the case, and also, there has been no breakthrough in Prof Kalburgi murder case so far

On the state Assembly elections next year, he said, "Congress is getting ready to face the state Assembly polls in 2018, and that there are leaders from both the BJP and the JD(S) who are willing to join the Congress.

"I have come here in order to strengthen the party and prepare for the forthcoming Assembly elections. There are many BJP and JD(S) leaders who are willing to join the Congress, and their list is getting ready. AICC will take the decision on electing the candidates for the elections. This time, the AICC convention will be held in Bengaluru. We are thinking of issuing tickets to 124 legislators," he said.

District in-charge minister Ramanath Rai, MLA Shakuntala Shetty, chief whip of Legislative Council Ivan D'Souza, district Congress interim president Ibrahim Kodijal, Youth Congress president Mithun Rai and others were present.

Earlier Update

Bantwal: Karopadi murder - Parameshwara promises strict action against culprits

Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal

Updated

Bantwal, May 2: Home minister Parameshwara on Tuesday May 2 said that the culprits behind the brutal murder of Karopadi gram panchayat vice-president Abdul Jaleel alias Jaleel Karopadi will be dealt the strict punishment.

He was speaking to reporters after visiting the family of Jaleel Karopadi at Vittal here. He expressed his sympathies and assured the family members that justice would be done.

"Strict action will be taken against the culprits behind Jaleel Karopadi's murder. We will also take measures to reign in the crimes happening on Kerala-Karnataka border. Discussions will be held with chief minister Siddaramaiah in this regard," he said.

He also said that a police outpost would be installed at Kanyaya, adding that he had received a request to establish a police station here. "We will pay attention to this request," he added.

Earlier Report

Mangaluru: Decision on changing KPCC president left to Congress high command - Parameshwara

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, May 2: Karnataka home minister and president of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC), G Parameshwara, addressed a press conference at circuit house here on Tuesday May 2. During his interaction with media persons, Parameshwara dwelt on a number of topics, often repeating what he had said earlier.

On the issue of replacing the KPCC president, Parameshwara said that this is the prerogative of the party high command and that it is vested with the powers to change the state unit party president at its discretion.

About the party suffering reverses on account of departure of veteran leader, S M Krishna, he said that Krishna's exit has not affected Congress in any way. This is evident by the bypoll results at Nanjangud and Gundlupet constituencies, both of which were won by the Congress although Krishna had undertaken widespread campaign against the party, he stated.

On the imminent exit of senior party leader and former MP, H Vishwanath from Mysuru from the Congress, Parameshwara wished that the leader would change his mind and stay with the Congress. When media persons brought to his notice that JD(S) leaders had extended an invitation to Vishwanath to join their party, he said he can decide on it if it fits his requirement. He however, hastened to add that being a senior leader, he would like Vishwanath to remain in Congress, adding that if there are minor differences, they could be sorted out at the party level. He felt that no problem is too huge to be impossible to be addressed through dialogues.

When his reaction was sought about the opinion expressed by senior party leader, Janardhan Poojary, that he should be made the chief minister, Parameshwara said that it is his individual opinion of the veteran leader and hence he would not like to comment on it.

About dissidence within BJP, Parameshwara tried to play it safe by pointing out that this issue is an internal matter of that party. On the long-pending issue of ministry expansion with the induction of two ministers, he stated that it is left to the chief minister to do this exercise as and when he wishes.

When he was told about the statement made by MP, Nalin Kumar Kateel, warning that entire Dakshina Kannada district would be ablaze if the murderers of Karthik Raj from Asaigoli were not nabbed within ten days of the gruesome incident, Parameshwara felt that this statement was unbecoming of a responsible people's representative. He felt that people in responsible positions should be very conscious about what they are saying or doing because of their ramifications.

Parameshwara is scheduled to hold a meeting with the city police commissioner at the commissionerate office. Thereafter, he will be visiting Karopadi where he will meet family of slain Congress leader, Abdul Jaleel Karopadi, and console the bereaved family members. Later in the day, he is scheduled to address Congress representatives at the district Congress office in the city.