Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore (SP)

Bangalore, Feb 20: Replying to questions raised, home minister Dr V S Acharya informed the legislative council on Thursday February 19, that 50 accused have been arrested in 22 cases out of the 28 murder incidents that occurred in the city since the last two months. He said criminal investigation work is going on successfully and also that steps will further be beefed up against crime and criminal elements in the state.

To another question, he said that the government is initiating steps against organizations which aim at restricting the freedom of citizens. Rowdy sheets will be opened for powers which disturb peace in the society, he said.

Acharya apprehended that there more to it than what meets the eye in the pub attack incident. The fact that some people were present ten minutes in advance to videograph the event and that the recordings were bought at New Delhi level is proof of the fact that there have been some missing links. The policemen arrived on the spot within ten minutes of the attack and made arrests. 13 more people were arrested the same night. A total of 28 people were remanded to judicial custody in the case," he stated, in support of his claim that his department took timely action.

Meanwhile, intervening in discussions on law and order that was held in the legislative council, chief minister B S Yeddyurappa hailed the home minister as a person who owns tough posture against crime. "The state had never come across a home minister with such firm resolve to contain crime," he appreciated. He dismissed the opposition demand for the sacking of the home minister.

"The home minister might look like a calm, soft-spoken person. But he has undertaken tough measures to maintain law and order in the state. The incident that took place in Mangalore was part of a planned conspiracy. Still, we could control the situation within 24 hours. You should congratulate the home minister for this achievement," he said to the opposition members. He also reiterated his resolve to book culprits under the Goonda Act if members of organizations take law into their hands and meddle with law and order situation in the state.