Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy on Friday said the common man was fed up with frequent communal disturbances and a day would soon come when the public would reject these communal elements to revolt against them.
He was speaking to reporters after laying the foundation stone for a 32-unit apartment complex for Mangaluru City Police Commissionerate personnel at Shaktinagar here.
About frequent communal disturbances in many parts of the State, the Home Minister said the government had no plans to ban any organisation or association as of now. If organisations have to be banned, groups from both communities have to be banned, he said, and added the matter would be discussed after the Chief Minister returns from his tour. Decision to ban organisations may be taken thereafter and suitable recommendation would be sent to the Union government.
The Minister appreciated the police, saying they had been taking swift action to contain disturbances. Alleged perpetrators in the murders of Deepak Rao and Ahmed Bashir in Mangaluru have already been arrested.
He said the government had sanctioned construction of 11,000 dwellings across the State for police personnel under the Police Housing Scheme 2020, of which 2,500 are complete and another 4,500 are nearing completion. The remaining units would be completed in 16 months, the Minister added. Mr. Reddy said of the 32 units being built at Mangaluru, 24 would be for police constables and eight for police sub-inspectors. The Minister said work on 160 dwelling units sanctioned for Mangaluru city was under progress.
Police reinforcement
About strengthening the police force, Mr. Reddy said the present government had accelerated police recruitment which had not been done during the previous government. Over 28,000 personnel had been recruited in the last four years, besides 1,642 PSIs. The government has also given approval to recruit another 18,000 personnel. Special focus would be given to recruitment of personnel in Belagavi, Uttara Kannada, and Dakshina Kannada districts which often face trouble, the Minister said.
Mayor Kavitha Sanil, and MLA J.R. Lobo were among those present.
Mr. Reddy later visited the residences of Rao and Bashir to console family members and assure support from the government.
