Latest news with #Anti-CommunalForce
Time of India
18 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
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. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "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. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "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.
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Karnataka launches Anti-Communal Force in coastal, Malnad districts to curb hate crimes
In a significant move aimed at countering rising communal tensions, the Karnataka government has officially rolled out a new Special Action Force, dubbed the Anti-Communal Force, which will operate in three communally sensitive districts, Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, and Shivamogga. Also Read - HS Venkatesha Murthy, celebrated Kannada poet, dies at 81 in Bengaluru. More details Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara, addressing reporters on Thursday, said a government order had been issued to constitute the force with immediate effect. The unit will initially begin operations in the selected districts, with provisions in place for further expansion if required. 'We have thoroughly deliberated on the structure, leadership, and operational powers of the Anti-Communal Force. A formal government order has now been passed, and the Director General of Police will implement the necessary measures,' Parameshwara said. The Anti-Communal Force (ACF) is a newly formed Special Action Force specifically designed to monitor, prevent, and respond to communal incidents in areas identified as hotspots for hate-driven violence. The force will be equipped with both human intelligence and technical capabilities, including a dedicated intelligence wing, social media monitoring cells, and surveillance units. Its responsibilities include: According to the official order, the new force has been carved out of the existing Anti-Naxal Force (ANF). Of the 656 sanctioned posts in the ANF, 248 personnel, including a DIG-ranked officer, a DySP (Civil), and an Assistant Commandant, have been reassigned to this new unit. Also Read - Karnataka reports second COVID-19 death in a week as elderly patient dies in Belagavi Additionally, the unit will include four inspectors,16 Sub-Inspectors and a mix of other supporting ranks, forming three operational companies Each company will be headquartered in Udupi, Shivamogga, and Dakshina Kannada, ensuring on-ground presence in the districts flagged as most vulnerable to communal unrest. The announcement comes in the wake of heightened communal tensions, most recently triggered by the murder of Hindu activist Suhas Shetty in Mangaluru. Following the incident, the Home Minister had stated that a specialised force, modeled after the Anti-Naxal Force, would be formed to clamp down on communal disturbances, especially in the coastal belt. Parameshwara stressed that areas like Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Shivamogga, and surrounding regions have been categorised as "sensitive zones" due to recurring communal incidents. 'We will act without hesitation or mercy against anyone involved in spreading communal hatred or committing communal crimes. Our aim is to completely suppress such activities,' the Home Minister asserted.
Indian Express
29-05-2025
- Indian Express
Driver murder in Dakshina Kannada: 3 in police net, more arrests likely
The Karnataka Police on Thursday arrested three people for the recent murder of a driver in the Dakshina Kannada district. The three suspects have been identified as Deepak Poojary, 21, Prithviraj, 21, and Chiranthan, 19 – all residents of Bantwal taluk in Dakshina Kannada district. A police officer said the three accused have been taken into police custody for further questioning. He added that efforts were underway to nab others linked to the murder. On Tuesday, driver Abdul Rahiman, 32, a resident of Kolthamajalu in Bantwal taluk, was murdered while unloading sand near a customer's house, according to the First Information Report (FIR) registered by the Bantwal Rural police. His friend and co-worker Kalandar Shafi, 29, who was severely injured in the attack, has been undergoing treatment at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of a hospital. A police officer said, 'We are yet to ascertain the reason behind the killing of Rahiman, and it will be revealed as the investigations unfold.' A case has been registered under sections 103 (murder), 109 (attempt to murder), 118 (1) (voluntarily causing hurt), 118 (2) (voluntarily causing grievous hurt), 190 (unlawful assembly), 191 (1) (force or violence is used by an unlawful assembly), 191 (2) (rioting) and 191 (3) (rioting by using deadly weapons) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Earlier in the day, Home Minister Parameshwara said the government had taken note of the murder and would not spare anyone responsible for the crime. His statement came on a day when the government ordered the Anti-Communal Force to deal with communal incidents. Parameshwara said that Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, and Shivamogga have been listed as communally sensitive districts, and the new Force will be deployed in the region.
Time of India
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
No safety for women, children in Congress govt: MLA
Mangaluru/Udupi: Sullia MLA Bhagirathi Murulya, on Sunday, alleged that the Congress govt under CM Siddaramaiah has failed to ensure the safety of youths, women, and children in Karnataka. Stating that Mangaluru City police failed to arrest the culprits in the Suhas Shetty murder, the BJP MLA said that police did not arrest two burqa-clad women who were present at the scene of the crime. She told reporters on Sunday that home minister G Parameshwara failed to inform her about the law and order meeting held on Saturday. "The home minister spoke to only Muslim leaders, though a Hindu activist was brutally murdered. Even the home minister and DCM DK Shivakumar have cases against them, but Suhas was branded as a rowdy-sheeter," she said, questioning the bias. Further, she demanded that speaker UT Khader also be brought under the purview of the investigation into the Suhas Shetty murder for his remarks. Police are puppet of Cong: Suvarna by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Google Brain Co-Founder Andrew Ng, Recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Around Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo The Congress govt has initiated an Anti-Communal Force, targeting Hindu activists by filing false cases to suppress them, said Udupi MLA Yashpal Suvarna . He alleged that the home minister held a meeting with Muslim community leaders and, yielding to their pressure, moved forward with the formation of the Anti-Communal Force, indicating the Congress govt's intent to appease communal forces. "Even though Muslim leaders displayed arrogance by banging on tables during the home minister's meeting, the police department remained silent. The minister, who visited the district, did not show the courtesy to involve local legislators in discussions about the district's peace and order," Suvarna said. Previously, the Congress govt did not respond to requests for a special unit in the police department to dismantle drug networks in the coastal district. Now, it is hastily forming an Anti-Communal Force to suppress Hindu activists, the MLA noted. The speaker, who allegedly influenced the investigation, should immediately resign, he added.
Time of India
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
BJP slams Khader for giving clean chit to Fazil's family
Mangaluru: The BJP on Saturday criticised assembly speaker UT Khader for giving a clean chit to the family of Mahammed Fazil, who was murdered in 2022, regarding their alleged involvement in the killing of Hindutva activist and rowdy-sheeter Suhas Shetty. Khader told reporters in Bengaluru on Friday, that he spoke to Fazil's family members, including his father and brothers, who firmly stated their non-involvement in Shetty's death. Additionally, Khader clarified that Shetty's murder stemmed from personal animosity and ongoing conflicts between two groups. Meanwhile, Mangaluru City police Ccommissioner Anupam Agrawal on Saturday revealed that Fazil's brother Adil was involved in Suhas's murder. Following this, BJP district president Sathish Kumpala, Dakshina Kannada MP Capt Brijesh Chowta, MLAs Y Bharath Shetty, U Rajesh Naik, D Vedavyas Kamath, Harish Poonja, and MLC Kishore Kumar Puttur lashed out at Khader. "How can Khader, who is the speaker of the assembly, justify his position now that Fazil's brother was implicated in the murder? It raises concerns about the fairness of the police investigation when the speaker makes such declarations before any arrests," Kumpala said, and questioned the appropriateness of the speaker making such statements given his constitutional position. Referring to some Congress MLAs moving a privilege motion against BJP MLA Harish Poonja for linking Khader's religious identity in connection with the suspension of BJP MLAs, the BJP leader asked what action should be initiated against Khader. "Khader's statement has exposed his jihadi mindset," he said. On police releasing masked photos of Suhas Shetty's assailants, Kumpala took exception and stated that unmasked pictures of the accused in Fazil's murder were released in 2022. Further, he also lashed out at home minister G Parameshwara, who announced the establishment of an Anti-Communal Force. "It is just an effort to suppress Hindu activists; it will remain as an Anti-Hindu force," he said, demanding a National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe into Suhas Shetty's murder. Provocative comment: Youth Identified The city police identified a person who posted a provocative comment on YouTube in connection with the Suhas Shetty murder case. Using the name 'Mr Silent Lvr', the individual made an inflammatory remark during a live stream on a news channel's YouTube platform. Following the comment, a case was registered at Barke police station and later transferred to Mangaluru City CEN crime police station for investigation. The accused has been identified as Sachin, 25, a resident of Surathkal. Further investigation is on.
