Karnataka home minister denies BJPcharge of police bias in Dakshina Kannada
Bengaluru: Home minister G Parameshwara Wednesday said the state govt will operationalise the Anti-Communal Force (ACF) in coastal districts within the next 10 days, amid escalating political tensions over alleged police action against members of pro-Hindu organisations.
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"There may be some resistance to it, but the govt has a responsibility to maintain peace and necessary measures will be taken in this regard," Parameshwara said.
The proposed ACF is expected to operate primarily in sensitive districts such as Dakshina Kannada and Udupi, which witnessed frequent communal flare-ups. The initiative forms part of the Congress govt's broader efforts to maintain law and order in the coastal belt.
The announcement comes even as BJP accused police in Dakshina Kannada of unfairly targeting those associated with Hindu groups. Dismissing the charges, Parameshwara assured that police were acting within legal boundaries and ordinary citizens had no reason to be alarmed.
"There is no reason for anyone to worry. Only those working against the law and people might have to worry. We will not allow anything that will trouble the common people," he stated.
BJP had raised concerns over reports that police had identified and visited the homes of Hindu organisation members at night, allegedly as part of a move to extern some of them. The home minister clarified that these operations were part of routine law enforcement based on intelligence inputs.
"Police may have information about those involved in communal activities in that region. So they have decided to increase the night rounds, and are visiting houses to instill confidence and also to verify about elements involved in communal activities," Parameshwara added.
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"There is no reason for common people to worry and we will ensure that no problem is caused to them. No one will be targeted," he added.
On concerns about political influence on policing, the minister reaffirmed the autonomy of law enforcement agencies. "Neither I nor the chief minister will give instructions to police on an hourly or a day-to-day basis. The officials decide. We may inquire about the action taken when any incident happens, but it is officials who decide and take action locally based on the situation," he said.
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