Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)

Mangaluru, Jul 13: The much anticipated peace meet in the wake of communal disturbances in the district was held at the DC's office here on Thursday July 13, chaired by district in-charge minister Ramanath Rai, in the presence of senior police officials, religious leaders and elected representatives. The BJP, as announced earlier, boycotted the meet. Even the JD(S) leaders, who were initially present, boycotted the meet midway.

Addressing the peace meet, Ramanath Rai said, "From the past several days the district is witnessing communal incidents akin to guerilla activity. This is not the first time we are organizing peace meet. Earlier too whenever communal clash occured such peace meetings were held, still these communal clashes continue to disturb peace in the district. So it is neccessary for us to keep up these peace meets, hence we invited all the elected representatives to this peace meeting in order to take concrete measures to maintain peace in the district."

Suggesstions poured in from some political leaders and religious leaders who were part of the peace meeting.

JD(S) leader Vasanth Poojary and Aziz Kudroli alleged that the district administration did not permit to hold peace rally spearheaded by JD(S) state president Kumaraswamy. "JD(S) had asked permission but the district administration rejected it. We strongly condemn this peace meeting and will boycott this meet.

JD(S) thus boycotted the peace meet after expressing their disapointment over not being allowed permission to hold peace rally.

Replying to the JD(S)' allegation, deputy commissioner Dr K G Jagadeesha said, "We have neither given permission nor rejected the application of the JD(S) for holding peace rally in Mangaluru. The decision has been put on hold because JD(S) asked permission to organise the rally from Mangaluru to Kalladka."

Vicar general of Mangaluru diocese Msgr Denis Moras Prabhu said, "People should have the freedom to walk on the streets at any time, be it day or night, but from the past two months people are afraid to come out of their houses. Things are not like before. Peace should be the priority for us so that people residing here live happily."

Fr Onil D'Souza said,"Today political leaders are saying the state will burn if Kalladka Bhat is arrested. Such is the courage they have to deliver statements like these. Action should be such that within 24 hours of the crime, culprits are arrested, only then will the followers think twice before committing any crime."

Ali Hasan, a merchant suggested said, "In recent times several innocents have been targetted. Some high officials are new to this place and take time to analyse the place here but local police are giving wrong information and misguiding higher officials. This helps the real culprits abscond very easily due to some corrupt officers."

CITU leader Sunil Kumar Bajal said, "BJP is supposed to be a responsible party but its leaders have boycotted this peace meeting which indicates that they are not interested in restoring peace in the district. They openly spoke of boycotting the peace meeting and thus insulted the district. Stringent action should be taken against conspirators and those who make provocative speeches. Earlier BJP claimed that stone-pelters were from Kerala but the police itself have clarified that there were no Keralites among the stone-pelters. This shows how fake they are and how they are trying to create disharmony in the society. I urge the district administration to organise a peace rally involving students, youths, religious leaders without any barrier of caste and religion".

Later Ramanath Rai said,"Today BJP has yet again proved that it does not want to maintain peace in the district. I have always stressed on peace and harmony in the district and I did not instigate any communal clash in the district. I am ready to take oath in front of God that I have not done anything wrong, and if I have done anything wrong, then God will punish me.

"I urge the police that innocents should not be troubled by all that is happening, otherwise it will be a huge drawback. We should understand that more than the culprits, conspirators must be arrested, only then will peace and harmony be maintained. Stringent action should be taken against anyone who takes law into his hands, irrespective of religion or caste the person may belong to. Experiments by communal organisations has triggered the violence in the district and they too should be detained. Whoever makes provocative speeches should be strictly dealt with. Nobody who attempts to disrupt peace should be spared. As per the suggestions that have come in, we will look forward to hold a peace rally involving youths and religious leaders once Section 144 is lifted," Rai said.

Reacting to Yeddyurappa's statement that if RSS leader Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat is arrested the state will burn, Rai said, "If the state is set on fire, our people are capable to douse the fire, so we will not worry about it. This is nothing but organized crime which needs to be restrained."

Minister for food and civil supplies U T Khader said, "I urge people not to be anxious and remain calm. When Sharath was attacked no one came forward but during stone pelting hundreds of people joined in. We need to look for the ones who are creating problem. The government is giving full-fledged support to take stringent action against violators and culprits behind the unrest. There are several provocative speeches made and it is better for us not to retaliate as peace is our utmost prirority. As it is important to nab the conspirators behind the series of murders and attacks from the past two months. BJP's nature itself is to blame and level allegations, but the truth is this criticism itself will be the stepping stone to our success."

CPIM leader Sitharam said, "Provocative speeches instigate such violence in the district. Why has stringent action not been taken against them and why is there no control on these provocative speeches? What stops you (police) from taking action against them? Such people provoke these rowdies to get into criminal activities.

"Even social media has a role to play in this as there are myriad fake news spreading. People don't check the reality and a few manipulate the actual truth. Such activities need to be curbed. Police frequently say that action will be taken against WhatsApp group for sending provocative messages, but so far how many have been booked in these cases?" questioned Seetharam.

SDPI district president Haneef Khan said,"Communal clashes happen whenever elections inch closer. SDPI has always worked for peace and never went against it. We want all religious leaders to join hands and deliver peace message to maintain harmony in the society."

IGP Harishekaran, police commissoner T R Suresh, superintendent of police Sudheer Kumar Reddy, deputy commissoner Dr K G Jagadeesha, MLA Mohiudeen Bava, MLA Shakuntala Shetty, mayor Kavitha Sanil and others were present.