Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)

Mangaluru, Aug 5: In the wake of unpleasant incidents that were reported in Dakshina Kannada over the past two-and-a-half months, state Minorities Commission president Naseer Ahmed on Saturday August 5 directed the district administration to take some concrete measures to foster harmony in the district.

Addressing the media, Naseer Ahmed said, "From past couple of months, tension has prevailed in Dakshina Kannada and it is necessary to take some concrete measures and restore harmony in the district. Today during my visit to Dakshina Kannada I listened to grievances and received a memorandum pertaining to the district, and soon after, I held discussions with the police officials and the district administrations on how to build confidence among people and what steps could be taken to bring in harmony in the district. Holding rally or marathon could also be the best option.

"We need to upgrade our intelligence unit, as social media has been active in flaring up tension in an already tense atmosphere. So we need to find some way to keep an eye on social media and restrain it. The Minorities Commission can call for investigation or enquiry to bring in communal harmony and build confidence among people. Police need to be pro-active and need to come out with new methods of policing, at the same time, police should be people-friendly as they are here to protect the people," he said.

"We in the Minorities Commission do not go by any political affiliation, whoever violates the law, no matter which party he belongs, should be thoroughly investigated by the police. The police should go by merit, investigation and intelligence. We also held a discussion on prohibitary orders which was clamped for record 60 days where we have seen loss in business and employment," he added.

When asked if it had come to the notice of the Commission the need to ban any organisation that involves in inflammatory acts, and also about the St Aloysius road renaming controversy, Naseer Ahmed said, "Neither of these issues were brought to our notice."

Commission members Rafique, Baljith Singh and others were present.