Govt. makes changes in police hierarchy

By Our Special Correspondent

HUBLI, SEPT. 16. In a surprise move, the State Government today gave the charge of maintenance of law and order in Hubli to the Additional Director- General of Police (Law and Order), Mr. M.D.Singh, and the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Jyoti Prakash Mirji.

The development has assumed significance following criticism that police, led by the Commissioner of Police (Hubli- Dharwad) and Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Y.R.Patil, failed to control the violence that broke out during the birthday celebrations of Mr. Ashok Singhal, Working Chairman, Vishwa Hindu Parishad International, in the city on Saturday.

The decision was announced by the Director-General and Inspector- General of Police, Mr. V.V.Bhaskar, who was sent here by the Home Minister, Mr. Mallikarjun Kharge. However, Mr. Bhaskar chose to be cagey over the significance of the move. Mr. Singh and Mr. Mirji would remain in charge only for three days. The Commissioner of Police would act under the guidance of the former, he said.

Mr. Bhaskar said the lapses on the part of the police officers in handling the situation were being looked into and stern action would be taken against those found guilty of dereliction of duty, he said. Mr. Singh and Mr. Mirji had also been asked to give a report on the loss of property to help the Government pay compensation to their owners.

Mr. Bhaskar and the two officers arrived this morning from Bangalore, and visited the affected places and talked to the injured at the Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences. According to Mr. Bhaskar, 122 persons had been taken into custody following the incident. Thirty-nine people were injured and two lost their lives - one in police firing and the other was stabbed - in the incident. Police reinforcements had been rushed to Hubli, he said.

Life was disrupted in Hubli today also with police imposing a dusk-to-dawn curfew.

After the Idgah violence, such a situation is being witnessed in the city for the first time. People in most areas did not get newspapers and milk.

Those who have come to the city from other places are facing a tough time. The passengers of buses proceeding to the city were made to alight at a place which does not have any facility.

Tension in Belgaum

Tension prevailed in Khade Baazar, Ganapati Galli and Fort Road this evening after the body of Uttam Maruti Gunjikar, who was killed in the police firing, was brought here this afternoon. There were reports of stone throwing in some places. Shops downed their shutters for some time.

The body was taken in a procession for cremation amid heavy police security.

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Section  : Southern States
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