Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV)

Updated

Mangaluru, Nov 25: Home minister K J George on Tuesday November 25 concluded his day-long visit to the coastal cities of Mangaluru and Udupi with a review meet of the police department at the police commissioner's office here.

"There is no problem with law and order. Staff strength is less but we assure that it will be solved after calling a state level meeting," George said.

On the claim from some quarters that the government has been booking criminal cases only on a particular class of people, he said, "Our government has given free hand to the police department. We are not pressuring the police to book case on any class of people. Those booked are the ones who have taken the law into their hands. When they think that law is in their hand, police will take action against them. Irrespective of class and caste, those who commit crimes are criminals."

When reporters referred to allegations that Suratkal (Mangalore North) MLA was pressuring the police department to book cases, the home minister said, "Police officers will not work under anyone's pressure. They work according to the law."

On dropping of the church attack report, he said "The Somashekar Commission was formed in 2010, and the then government kept its report pending. We discussed it in the cabinet and later it was moved to the law department. On the law department's reccommendation, we rejected the Somashekar Commission report. Later, the National Human Right Committee and Minority Committee also recommended a few things. The cabinet decided to implement those recommendations."

On the increasing number of missing cases of girls, he said, "We have considered missing cases very seriously, and we will take action."

When asked why the crime had increased, he said, "There is scarcity of staff. We will hold a state-level meeting. We have also asked DCP crime to arrest the crime rate within a month and send a report to the government."

Speaking on promotion policy, the minister said, "We are following up the issue. Wherever there are vacancies we are promoting personnel there. In case of head constables and ASIs, vacancies are less and hence promotions are less."

When media quizzed him about allegations that promotion applications were not getting forwarded and are pending, he replied, "As per my knowledge there is nothing pending. We will also do a review and fill up the posts by giving in-service promotions. After returning to Bengaluru I will review the situation."

On the scarcity of coastal boat operators, he said, "We have given permission to ex-servicemen to run boats. As regular people are not available to operate boats, the government has agreed to appoint ex-servicemen."

Protest

While home minister K J George was presiding over the review meeting, the members of BJP Yuva Morcha staged a protest against K J George and the state government demanding resignation of four 'tainted' ministers including George over allegations of land scam.

The protestors shouted slogans and showed black flags.

The Urva police intervened and detained around 55 protestors.

Earlier Report

Mangaluru: K J George inaugurates police community hall; accuses BJP of 'lying'

Pics: Meryick D'Silva
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru(DV)

Mangaluru, Nov 25: "Even in stressful situations, the police department strives to protect and maintain law and order. The state government has implemented several programmes for the welfare of police personnel and also fulfilled their demands," said state home minister K J George.

He was addressing the gathering after inaugurating police canteen and police community hall located behind SP's office here on Tuesday November 25.

"Every year, 4,500 police officers retire from the service. There are 28,500 posts vacant across the state. The government has intiated the process to recruit personnel for 8,500 posts. In the state, there are 790 vacant sub-inspector posts. Presently, the department has taken the responsibility to fulfill 290 sub-inspector posts within the next three years," he said.

"The department has facility to train up to 4,500 police personnel, but this time the government has taken the initiative to train 8,500 police personnel with additional facilities and fill the vacant posts. The department also aims to provide employment opportunities and has taken the initiative to appoint youths for the police department from Naxal-affected rural areas by providing relaxation in height and weight. Thousand home guards were taken into police department to help the police department. Rs 1000 is provided for health checkup and free health Insurance is also given to their families."

He also said that appropriate action would be taken against those who take law into their hands.

District incharge minister Ramanath Rai said, "This district is communally sensitive. The department should deploy additional police force for the district, which will help to protect law and order."

MLA J R Lobo who presided on this occasion thanked MRPL for their contribution to build police community hall in CSR Fund. In his address, he said, "Police personnel should effectively utilize the newly inaugurated community hall. Home ministry should also extend the Aragoghya Bhagya scheme to retired police personnel along with canteen facility.

He also thanked home ministry for granting Rapid Action Force to Dakshina Kannada.

On this occasion MLA Mohiuddin Bava, MLC Ivan D' Souza, ADGP law and order Subashchandra, Kempayya IPS, ZP president Asha Thimappa Gowda, H Kumar from MRPL, IGP Amrit Paul, police commissioner R Hitendra, SP Dr Sharanappa and others were present.

'Kiss of Love'

Speaking to reporters after the programme, K J George commented on the 'Kiss of Love' campaign in Bengaluru and said that it is not the state government but the police that has to give permission. "It is the decision of the police department. Everyone has the right to protest, but it should not cross the limits of law. It should not be obscene or go against the Indian culture. Is there anything obscene if a mother kisses her child?"

"Police will take action if law and order is disrupted during the protest or in case of any immoral act," he added.

"No organization can take law and order into its hands in the name of moral policing. Instead, a complaint can be lodged with the police," he said.

Asked about the provision of Rapid Action Force, George said it has already been sanctioned for DK district with 1000 CRPF Battalion. "We have land already but addition 10 acre is required, which will be acquired soon," he said.

'BJP telling lies to people'

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (CLP)

Mangaluru, Nov 25: Home minister K J George addressed a press meet at the district Congress office on November 25 and said that BJP has always taken credit for the works initiated by the Congress and is repeatedly telling lies to people.

"There has been no change in the aim and motto of Congress party right from its beginning. It has worked for the downtrodden of the society. Winning and losing the election is part and parcel of politics, even Indira Gandhi had lost the elections. We have to respect the people's opinions. We can not expect to will win every election, but whether we win or lose, we are always there for the people at all time, and that is the Congress motto."

"People voted for the BJP government to do development work and to bring change in the society, but we are witnessing no developmental works for the past six months, ever since it assumed power.

"BJP has always taken credit for things it did not work for. BJP created publicity saying India's Mars Mission Mangalyaan was done by it. Same was the case with Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. It was Lal Bahadur Shastri who said "Jai Jawaan Jai Kisaan", which has been forgotten now."

"BJP is lying and spreading rumours. It is practising the habit of saying lies a hundred times so people will believe them as true. They are trying to create communal tension where people want to live in harmony," he said.

"Congress has done the best to safeguard the rights of women. BJP is accusing us claiming there is law and order problem in the state and women are being abused. They have forgotten that BJP ministers themselves molested women, and some were caught watching blue film in the state Assembly. Terrorism was high during the BJP's tenure," George said.

"Laws have been amended and Goonda Act strengthened, thus Congress is doing the best to protect the rights of women in the state," he added.

"Sonia Gandhi is particular about clean politics. She instantly sacks people found guilty of crimes or allegations.

"There is prosperity in the state. Power sector, social welfare and education are booming. The lost hope will come back, the Congress in Karnataka will be a role model to others. It will give new life to the party and we will come back to power and thus work for the welfare of the people," he declared.

"No one can free India from Congress and we will prove it. All the false promises and false accusations will come to light. All the true colours of the BJP will be in front of the people soon," he added.

Congress district interim president Ibrahim Kodijal welcomed K J George with a garland.

District incharge minister B Ramanath Rai, MLC Ivan D'Souza, MLAs J R Lobo, Mohiuddin Bava and others were present.