Hindutva activist who fomented trouble externed from Bantwal: SP

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, May 10 2018: Superintendent of Police B.R. Ravikanthe Gowda on  May 9, Wednesday stated that  activist from the Hindu Jagarana Vedike, who is among the two who were allegedly involved in a scuffle in Kalladkka last year that led to communal tension for several weeks in Bantwal, has been externed from the taluk for six months from May he said.

Briefing on the security arrangements at the 981 polling booths in Dakshina Kannada for the polls, SP Gowda said Rathnakar Shetty has been externed from Bantwal on the order of Deputy Commissioner Sasikanth Senthil S. The order was passed in December 2017 against Shetty and Ibrahim Khaleel, who had allegedly attacked each other in Kalladka on June 13, 2017.

After the order was passed, Shetty and Khaleel filed petitions before the High Court and the order was stayed. SP Gowda said the police argued against the petition filed by Shetty and got the stay vacated a few days ago. The order of externment against Shetty has come into effect now, he said. Mr. Gowda said while the process was on to vacate the stay concerning Khaleel, the latter has reportedly moved to Bengaluru.

SP  Gowda said security proceedings under the provisions of the Criminal Procedure Code have been initiated against 916 persons who are suspected of fostering trouble. Bonds of good conduct have been collected from them, the SP added.

Poster  :  SP  Gowda said four criminal cases have been registered, including one against Jagadish, a resident of Vittal, for allegedly putting up a poster outside his house barring entry of members of a particular party for election campaigning. Jagadish has been booked under Section 153 (A) of the Indian Penal Code.

No case was booked in a similar incident in Bantwal taluk as the police could not recover the poster. He said three criminal cases have been registered for clashes between two groups of party workers.

SP  Gowda also said that 3,000 security staff would be deployed on May 12,  Saturday across the 981 polling boots. Apart from district police officers and personnel, 1,400 central paramilitary force personnel, three companies of KSRP, and one company of Rapid Action Force personnel will be deployed. Services of 330 Home Guards and 20 forest guards will also be used. Six Deputy Superintendent of Police mobile squads, 17 police inspector mobile squads, and 72 sector officers’ mobile squads will be in operation on Satuday.

SP Gowda said he and DK DC  Senthil have visited all the 64 places affected by Maoist activity and have inspired electors to vote. He added that though there was no Maoist activity at present, Anti-Naxal Force personnel were doing combing operations in those areas, he said.