Date:22/02/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/02/22/stories/2007022214300400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Those involved in riots will be dealt with strictly: Prakash

Special Correspondent

IN THELEGISLATURE Home Minister defends Government's handling of situation

BANGALORE: Home Minister M.P. Prakash on Wednesday declared that the Janata Dal (S)-BJP Government would initiate strict action against miscreants involved in the recent incidents of communal violence in the State.

Replying to a discussion in the Legislative Assembly on the communal violence that rocked Mangalore, parts of Bangalore and Bidar recently, Mr. Prakash also asserted that the Government would treat people of all religions and communities equally without any bias.

He claimed that the Government had done well in restoring peace in communal violence-hit areas compared with the handling of such situation by the Congress governments. The miscreants responsible for the violence had already been arrested by the police.

Mr. Prakash also asserted that the Government would take action against those who were acting as "cultural police" in Udupi.

He said the communal violence in Mangalore had been instigated by "outside forces." Mr. Prakash also termed the allegation that district in-charge minister had instigated the violence in Mangalore as "baseless." Referring to the communal incidents in Bharatinagar and Fraser Town in Bangalore, Mr. Prakash said the investigation had revealed that miscreants who came from Nagawara were responsible for the violence.

Initiating the debate on communal riots, CPI (M) member G.V. Srirama Reddy charged that the Sangh Parivar, Karnataka for Democracy and the Students Islamic Movement of India were all fundamentalist forces and were responsible for the communal riots in the coastal areas and in Bangalore recently.

Mr. Reddy alleged that the police had colluded with the communal forces represented by the Sangh Parivar and let loose terror on innocent people, who had nothing to do with the violent incidents.

A large number of BJP members such as Renukacharya, C.T. Ravi and Araga Jnanendra rose to protest when he attacked the Sangh Parivar in his initial remarks, but were happy thumping the desk when the CPI (M) leader also named the KFD and SIMI.

Adjourned

The Legislative Assembly was adjourned to March 16 on Wednesday by Speaker Krishna.