Date:16/06/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/06/16/stories/2008061650140100.htm

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Judicial probe into Haveri firing

Special Correspondent

Kedimbadi Jagannatha Shetty to head commission of inquiry

Bangalore: The Bharatiya Janata Party Government, headed by Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa, on Sunday announced a one-man commission of inquiry to probe into the police firing (on June 10) in Haveri. Kedimbadi Jagannatha Shetty, former judge of the Karnataka High Court, will head the commission of inquiry, and the Chief Minister has requested him to submit his report in four months. The State Law Department has been directed to prepare the terms of reference for the inquiry, and this would be vetted by Law Minister S. Suresh Kumar and the Chief Minister.

The Chief Minister said: “The BJP Government has on its own volition opted for the judicial inquiry to ascertain the details. Being a member of the farming community and having occupied the Chief Minister’s chair thanks to the support extended by the farmers and also having taken the oath in the name of farmers, it is my duty to provide justice to them. I would like to assure them (farmers) that the Government will take care of their welfare. We will do our best for the betterment of the farmers. This is a pro-farmer Government and no injustice will be done to them.”

“I call upon the Opposition and the other leaders to refrain from politicising matters of State interests, including that of farmers. Over the past few days I believed that they would keep politics out of such matters, but they have indulged in a blame game, and hence my reply.

“The decision to order a judicial inquiry is, however, not borne out of any compulsions or pressure exerted on me,” he said.

The Chief Minister said he would also lead an all-party delegation to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and impress upon the Union Government to grant classical language status to Kannada and amend Article 371 of the Constitution.