Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru(ANK)

Mangaluru, Jan 28: Home Minister MB Patil has praised the efficient working by Mangaluru police and the stern stand taken by them against drug peddling.

“Drug peddlers are targeting the younger generation as Mangaluru is a place with lot of students; I have urged police to take stringent action against those who peddle drugs and hence break down the drug mafia in the district,” he said at a press meet in Mangaluru Police Commissioners office on January 28.

Patil acknowledged the demands kept forth by the police department such as staff shortage and others. “We may not be able to fulfill all the demands but will try to fulfill most of them,” he assured.

He also commended the Mangaluru police phone-in programme and the efforts taken to minimize the gap between the public and police.

When asked about H D Kumaraswamy’s statement on stepping down from the chief minister post, M B Patil said, "Both party high commands and coordination committee will resolve the issue; it is common to have minor differences which will be sorted out. We had no other way than forming coalition government. We have left CM post to JD(S),” he said.

"Navy is trying hard to trace the missing boat,” he said when questioned on developments on tracking the missing fishermen on boat ‘Suvarna Tribhuja’.

When asked about the action to be taken against Ananth Kumar Hegde, M B Patil said, "We will look in to it. Ananth Kumar Hegde is habituated in delivering such statements. He is unfit to be even a Gram Panchayat member.”