mangalore today

Shimoga, Hassan back to normal: DGP


Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Mar 5: Ajay Kumar Singh, the director general of police (DGP), said that the state of Karnataka is slowly limping back to normal after the recent violence that followed the publication of Taslima Nasreen’s translated article in Kannada Prabha. He said that the situation is now peaceful and no more untoward incidents have been reported. 

The DGP visited Myroli, a forest near Mutlupady, Hebri, Karkala, where a naxal encounter had taken place, and addressed media persons there. He informed journalists that Shimoga and Hassan, which had witnessed a lot of violence for 2 consecutive days, are now back to normal. Police have arrested as many as 94 offenders in Shimoga and 64 offenders in Hassan. Further arrests could be made based on video clippings, said that DGP. 

Naxal Issues

Speaking about Naxal issues, the DGP lauded the achievements of the ANF and the police department at Myroli. Declining to divulge additional information about the operation, the DGP said that a naxal supporter has already been arrested with regard to Monday’s incident. The police have already obtained information regarding a group of 3 naxals, who had attacked police personnel on Monday, he said, adding that the police have launched a manhunt for the group. 

Expressing satisfaction over the fact that naxal activities have declined owing to the dedicated efforts of the ANF and the police force in the state’s four districts, the DGP said that the team of 16 will be duly honored. State government initiatives are responsible for the decrease in the number of naxals and their supporters, he said. 

Action Committee

The DGP termed the naxal problem as a “socio economic issue,” which needs immediate resolution. He said that he had convened a meeting of a high-power action committee to discuss this issue on Feb 1 at the ANF headquarters in Karkala. The additional chief secretary, secretaries from revenue, forest, and wildlife, deputy commissioners, ZP, CEOs, IGP, SPs, deputy conservators of forests from districts exhibiting strong naxal activity had participated in this meeting. 

The DGP said that the officials must sympathise with the people living in these areas, adding that coordination and cooperation between various department officials must be enhanced in order to provide solutions to the problems of the people. 

Mentioning the fact that the Center has not yet declared Karnataka to be naxal-prone state, he said that the Karnataka police would get in touch with the Kolkata police to investigate possibilities of Karnataka naxalites having connections with Kolkata Maoists. 

Mangalore Issues

Speaking about the attacks on the offices of Kannada dailies in Mangalore, the DGP said that the police are still investigating the case; but have not arrested anybody yet. 

With regard to the Mangalore Police Commissionerate, which still lacks a full-fledged office, the DGP said that the department has requested the state to sanction the required funds during the forthcoming state budget. 

Gopal Hosur, the IGP of western range, SP Prawin Pawar of Udupi, and many other police officials were present.