Union Minister for Statistics and Programme Implementation D.V. Sadananda Gowda has decided to submit a report to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday on the series of incidents in Bantwal and Ullal Assembly constituencies in the last one-and-a-half months, which have disturbed communal harmony in Dakshina Kannada.
Disclosing this to reporters in Mangaluru after meeting Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner K.G. Jagadeesha and Superintendent of Police C.H. Sudheer Kumar Reddy, the Minister said he would also raise the matter in the Union Cabinet meeting to be held on Wednesday.
At the same time, Mr. Gowda said the Centre would not interfere in the maintenance of law and order as it was a State issue.
Blaming Ministers Ramanath Rai and U.T. Khader, in whose constituencies the trouble broke out, for the communal incidents, he alleged that the government had failed in maintaining law and order.
Video clip
Mr. Gowda alleged that the communal incidents had increased after a video clipping of Mr. Rai giving controversial instructions to the then Superintendent of Police Bhushan Gulabrao Borase went viral.
Meanwhile, BJP State general secretary Shobha Karandlaje has written to Mr. Rajnath Singh requesting him to set up an office of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in Mangaluru to instil confidence among people of the region.
Alleging that suspected jihadi elements from Kerala were entering Mangaluru through Kasaragod, she said the NIA could keep a watch on such elements closely, if an office were to open in Mangaluru.
The BJP is holding a protest in Bengaluru on Wednesday demanding the arrest of those responsible for the death of the RSS activist.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah accused the Sangh Parivar of being responsible for the communal incidents in Dakshina Kannada.
Two more arrested
The police arrested two more persons in connection with stone-pelting during the funeral procession of a RSS activist at B.C. Road on July 8. With this, the total number of arrests in connection with the incident has touched 15.
The two arrested were Hindu Jagarana Vedike activists, according to C.H. Sudheer Kumar Reddy, Superintendent of Police, Dakshina Kannada.
Mr. Reddy said body warrant will be taken against whom cases have been registered and who are presently at large. It includes four leaders of the Sangh Pariwar.
Meanwhile, prohibitory orders have been extended in Dakshina Kannada, except under the jurisdiction of Mangaluru Police Commissionarate, till July 21 midnight.
