Karnataka Police to banish 36 criminals from Dakhina Kannada district following murders, BJP alleges targeting of Hindu groups

Indian Express

2 days ago

The Dakshina Kannada district police in Karnataka have initiated externment proceedings against 36 people identified as habitual offenders or those involved in repeated anti-social activities under its jurisdiction, an official said Tuesday.
The police move aims to prohibit these 36 people from entering a specific area or locality for a designated period after two murders led to communal tension in the coastal region. Those identified belong to various police station limits, including Bantwal, Vittal, Puttur town and rural, Kadaba, Sullia, Uppinangady, Punjalkatte, and Belthangady.
The list includes people aged 22 to 54 from various parts of the district. They have been charged with assault, intimidation, extortion, and gang-related activities.
Though the list includes names of both Hindus and Muslims, the BJP has raised concerns, stating that Hindu leaders are being unfairly targeted. Shobha Karandlaje, Union Minister of State for Labour and Employment; and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises, has written a letter to Justice N K Sudhindra Rao, the chairman of the Police Complaints Authority.
In her letter, she said the ruling Congress government in the state has been targeting individuals associated with Hindu organisations. The police's actions are infringing upon the fundamental rights of the people, she said.
Arun K, Superintendent of Police, Dakshina Kannada, said, 'We are taking strict action to ensure peace in the region. Externment is a preventive measure aimed at breaking the nexus of habitual offenders who pose a recurring threat to society.'
The police are in the process of serving notices, and hearings will be held in accordance with legal procedure before the orders are finalised, he said.
According to police sources, a similar list was also due from Mangaluru city police limits.
Suhas Shetty, a Hindu activist, was killed by a group of assailants in Mangaluru, and 12 people have been arrested in connection with the murder. Shetty had five cases against him: four in Mangaluru city and one in the Dakshina Kannada district. He was the prime accused in the murder of Mohammed Fazil, 23, in Surathkal on July 28, 2022.
Later, On May 27, Abdul Rahiman, 32, a resident of Kolthamajalu in Bantwal taluk, was murdered while he was unloading sand near a customer's house. His friend and co-worker Kalandar Shafi, 29, who was severely injured in the attack, is currently being treated at the intensive care unit (ICU) of a hospital.