Latest news with #InternalSecurityDivision
Deccan Herald
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Deccan Herald
After ex-police chief's letter, Karnataka unlikely to disband anti-naxal force fully
Bengaluru: Days before his retirement, former Karnataka police chief Alok Mohan recommended that the Anti-Naxal Force (ANF) should be not disbanded completely. .In a letter to the government, Mohan cited a communication from Pronab Mohanty, the head of the Internal Security Division (ISD), raising serious concerns about the move. .DH has seen both letters. .Although the Home Department has not taken up the matter officially, it is likely to consider Mohan's recommendation of disbanding the ANF in a phased manner, according to a well-placed source. .Concerns about the ANF's disbandment have intensified after an IED blast killed three people in Veerabhadravaram, Telangana, about 500 km from the Karnataka border, on May 8. There are also fears that ongoing anti-Naxal operations in Chhattisgarh could push Maoist activity southward into Karnataka. .During this year's budget speech, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced the decision to disband the ANF, stating that the Naxal movement had ended in Karnataka. .In January, the last known group of six Maoists in the state surrendered in the presence of the CM. Another Maoist surrendered days later. .Cars plunge into stream, auto-rickshaw driver dies after tree falls on vehicle in his letter, Mohan mentioned seven concerns raised by Mohanty, arguing that while there are currently no active Maoists left in Karnataka, the threat of resurgence remains. .The concerns include: recrudescence of left-wing extremism, the revival of extremist ideologies, the potential reactivation of the Naxal movement, the loss of institutional knowledge, increased vulnerability at the tri-junction (Karnataka-Telangana-Andhra Pradesh border), disruptions to security operations due to intelligence gaps and the potential influx of Maoists and free invites to Naxals. .Mohan's letter stresses that although all active Maoists have surrendered, the ideology exists and could rekindle extreme thoughts, galvanising a new wave of left-wing extremism in the state. .Mohanty's letter noted that ANF staff are especially trained to withstand extreme conditions and taught life-saving skills, which would go to waste if the force is disbanded. .He also flagged increased vulnerability at the tri-junction and warned of an influx of Maoists from neighbouring states. .Further, since the ANF also gathers intelligence in the forest and interacts with tribal communities, dissolving it could create intelligence gaps, the letter says. .Finally, the letter points out that Karnataka's extensive forest cover could give a free pass to Naxals in the ANF's absence.
Hans India
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Operation Sindoor: Karnataka govt cracks down on fake, provocative content online
Bengaluru: In the backdrop of Operation Sindoor and rising tensions between India and Pakistan, the Karnataka government has moved to curb the spread of false and provocative content online. The state Home Ministry is holding a high-level meeting with the Internal Security Division (ISD) and the Department of Information Technology to formulate a response. Home Minister G. Parameshwara, speaking to the media in Bengaluru, said, 'I have convened a meeting with the ISD regarding the growing spread of fake news in the state. IT Minister Priyank Kharge will also be participating.' Parameshwara expressed concern over the circulation of misleading and inflammatory content on social media. "Old videos are being reposted, provocative content is being shared, and false narratives are being pushed. The meeting will focus on identifying technical measures to counter this trend," he added. The move comes as the Karnataka Police filed an FIR on Friday against Muneer Khan Qureshi, a resident of Kumbarpet in Kolar, for allegedly calling the Pahalgam terror attack a "pre-planned act" by the central government. According to police, Qureshi uploaded a YouTube video claiming that the attack, which killed 26 people, was orchestrated to polarise Hindu voters ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections. In a separate incident, a medical college student in Karnataka was booked for allegedly posting a "pro-Pakistan" message on social media. Following public outrage, especially from Hindu organisations, an FIR was registered under Sections 152 (actions endangering India's sovereignty, unity, and integrity) and 197(3)(5) (imputations prejudicial to national integration) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Police said the student later issued a public apology, expressing deep regret. Amid the heightened tensions, Deputy Chief Minister and State Congress President D.K. Shivakumar has appealed to his supporters not to celebrate his birthday on May 15. 'In this sensitive time, when our soldiers are risking their lives to fight terrorism, I request everyone not to celebrate my birthday,' he said. 'I will not be in town that day. Please refrain from visiting my residence or office, and avoid putting up banners or hoardings. Let us stand united in support of our armed forces and pray for their safe return,' he added.
