Date:25/01/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/01/25/stories/2007012523620400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

`Forces behind riots will be exposed'

Special Correspondent

Bangalore: The Government knows which are "forces behind" the Shivajinagar violence and will "expose them when the time is ripe", said Labour Minister Iqbal Ansari after visiting the victims admitted at the Bowring Hospital here on Wednesday.

The coalition Government had been working towards inviting foreign capital, generating employment and improving the economic condition of the city and "some forces" were out to malign it, he alleged.

While admitting that innocent people were the worst victims of violence, he refuted allegations that the police had behaved in a highhanded way. He said the police had "tried their best to bring the situation under control".

The police should ensure that permission was not given for holding too many rallies on a single day in the city, he said.

Asked if the Virat Hindu Samajotsava celebrations were inciting communal sentiments in the city, he said the "intention behind them was good", but there were "interest groups" creating tension to bring bad name to the coalition Government.

Mr. Ansari said that many victims at the Bowring Hospital had told him that cases had been foisted on them and he would discuss the issue with the Home Minister. He would ensure that additional compensation, besides Rs. 25,000 announced.