Mangaluru, Feb 28, 2015: Deputy Commissioner AB Ibrahim has informed that 4,000 police personnel have been deployed including 30 KSRP platoons, 10 DAR platoons and two RAF forces to ensure peace in the district.
He was addressing a peace meet organised by the District Administration in association with the Police Department at the DC office on February 27, Friday in the wake of the Virat Hindu Samajotsava scheduled o be held in the city on March 1, Sunday by the VHP.
The Deputy Commissioner further stated the district which has achieved fame for several reasons has at the same time become infamous owing to a few incidents. He said such incidents will not only disrupt the normal life but will also affect the progress of the district.
He said as a part of the measure to maintain communal harmony 36 sector magistrates have been appointed under each of whom there would be a police team which will ensure that religious shrines under the limits are safe.
He said steps have been taken to install CCTV cameras in sensitive areas and religious shrines have been instructed to have CCTV cameras as well as flood lights. Section 144 has also been clamped in sensitive areas like Kulai, Karaya, Bajpe, Derlakatte and other places which have witnessed tension, the DC said.
Ramanatha Rai, DK District in-charge Minister who presided over the meeting, said the administration wants to ensure that no innocent suffers and also to see that harmony is maintained. He also made it a point that some fundamentalist elements were trying to disrupt peace. The organisers of the Samajotsava have been directed to conclude the programme by 5.30 pm, he said.
City Police Commissioner S Murugan who also addressed the meet, warned that the police department would act tough against any act of miscreants and said there was no question of sparing anyone who tries to take law into hands. He said a control room has been set up and any complaints can be made directly.
VHP leader MB Puranik said the Hindu Samajotsava is organised to ensure equality in the Hindu community and added all Indians want peace and harmony to prevail.
Dr Sharanappa, SP, Tulasi Maddineni, ZP CEO, Ibrahim Kodijal, District Congress interim President, Rahim Uchil, MLA JR Lobo, Ganesh Rao of Karavali Institutions, Balakrishna Rai of National Human Rights Federation, KS Masood of Muslim Central Committee and many others spoke.