Checking untoward incidents: Rs. 10 lakh bond from outfits

Checking untoward incidents: Rs. 10 lakh bond from outfits

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Aug 23,2016: In an effort to prevent fringe outfits from organising events that could lead to communal flare-ups, the Dakshina Kannada police have suggested that a bond of Rs. 10 lakh be taken from event organisers belonging to groups that are considered “sensitive.”

While issuing permission for any public meeting or a rally, the police have recommended to the jurisdictional tahsildar to take such a bond from the organisers, under Section 108 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

After hearing representatives of the organisation, the tahsildar makes the organiser give an undertaking of good behaviour as well.

“If there is any trouble following their programme, organisers will be held accountable. They have to either pay the amount or undergo imprisonment,” said Dakshina Kannada Superintendent of Police Bhushan Gulabrao Borase, who mooted this idea.

With this the police hope to curb such events in the district, which is known to be communally sensitive, and has in a past seen many public functions and rallies that have led to group clashes

Mr. Borase said that in the past too organisations did give an undertaking of good behaviour while getting permission. “In case of trouble, they would get out of it by expressing regret and paying the nominal sum (of Rs. 500).” Now that the amount is Rs. 10 lakh, and it would serve as a disincentive to indulge in inflammatory behaviour or statements.

Mr. Borase said the amount fixed was reasonable. “The Rs. 10 lakh is the reasonable amount to maintain peace and tranquillity in this sensitive region.” He said there are no fixed guidelines for fixing the amount. “We are now making these organisations accountable,” he added.

Mr. Borase said he had tried this in Kalaburagi during his stint as Superintendent of Police and the district police had been following the new rule for the past one month.

Among those who had so far signed the bond include members of the local unit of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, which got clearance for the Akhanda Bharat programme on August 7. Bonds have been taken from numerous organisations that have organised motorcycle and other rallies, as well.

Courtesy : The Hindu