Vigil at shrines stepped up: Kharge

By Our Staff Correspondent

HASSAN, JULY 8. The Home Minister, Mr. Mallikarjun Kharge, said today that the Government had stepped up vigil at places of worship and at other properties of the minority communities in the wake of the blast in a church at Wadi in Gulbarga District, and would not tolerate any attempt to disrupt peace and tranquility.

Addressing presspersons here, he said certain vested interests were trying to disturb peace and create animosity amongst peace- loving people. The Government would thwart such evil designs, he added.

Mr. Kharge said had received a message about a bomb blast in Hubli in the early hours of Saturday. Certain parties and individuals were trying to gain mileage out of such incidents for their own petty gains, he alleged.

He said some political parties were trying to instigate people against the Government. The recent Opposition outcry over the change in school timings and the Humnabad incident were examples, he added.

Mr. Kharge said that there was no move to make the prime accused in the Hangarahalli bonded labour case an approver or a witness. The accused had been remanded in judicial custody, and chargesheets would be filed soon, he added.

Referring to the agitation by lawyers in North Karnataka demanding establishment of a High Court Bench, Mr. Kharge said any agitation should be carried out in a peaceful manner without disrupting life. The Government would not tolerate violence during the course of any agitation, and would deal with the situation firmly. It was regrettable that the lawyers were taking the law into their hands. The Government had taken steps to meet their aspirations, he added.

Pointing out that undertrials in Gulbarga had withdrawn their strike over the delay in securing bail and scheduling their cases due to the agitation, he appealed to lawyers to reconsider their stand keeping in mind the suffering caused to those dependent on them for justice.

Policing to be improved

Referring to the functioning of the police department, Mr. Kharge, who inaugurated the "district police office" here, noted that the Government had initiated schemes to improve the efficiency of the force. Construction of quarters at a cost of Rs. 285 crores with HUDCO assistance, and upgradation of vehicles and equipment were some of the steps, he noted.

The Government was expecting an assistance of Rs. 10 crores from the Centre to tackle the naxalite menace in North Karnataka and prevent entry of criminals into the State.

Mr. Kharge said the Government had drawn up an ambitious plan to computerise police stations in the next four years at a cost of Rs. 16 crores. The project had been initiated on a trial basis in Bangalore at a cost of Rs. 1.5 crores, and would be extended to other major cities and police stations in phases.

The minister, who inaugurated "Spandana", a women's helpline, exhorted policemen to carry out their duties in a manner beneficial to all sections of society, especially the women, the poor, the downtrodden and the dalits.

Mr. G.Puttaswamy Gowda, MP, expressed hope that the police department would take steps to "rectify its track record" and rededicate itself to the service of the people.

Referring to the attacks on duty doctors at the Government Hospital here, he requested Mr. Kharge to sanction a police outpost on the hospital premises at the earliest. He appealed to the minister to sanction "mahila police stations" in all taluks.

Mr. H.K.Javare Gowda, MP, appealed to the police to take steps to prevent atrocities on women. He also suggested that the police curb the excise lobby which was causing the ruin of the youths and the unemployed. Referring to the criticism against the functioning of police in the district under the previous government, he called for an impartial probe.

Mr. C.Dinakar, Director-General and Inspector-General of Police, said the police department proposed to set up 10 new police stations in the State during the current financial year, and would consider proposals from the district. He appealed to the people to cooperate with the police.

Mr. K.H.Hanume Gowda, Hassan MLA, stressed the need for the police force to respond to the needs of the people.

Mr. K.S.Suresh Babu, IGP (Southern Range), welcomed the gathering. Mr. V.V.Bhaskar, DGP (CoD), spoke. Mr. B.V.Karigowda, MLC, Mr. G.V.Sidappa and Mr. Puttrangnath, MLAs, and Mr. B.P.Kaniram, Deputy Commissioner, were present. Mr. M.A.Saleem, SP, proposed a vote of thanks.

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Section  : Southern States
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