25 days on, still no Anti-Communal Task Force: Peace-loving citizens of DK ask why
Mangaluru, May 28: Even after 25 days since the Karnataka government announced the formation of an ‘Anti-Communal Task Force’ to tackle rising communal crimes in Dakshina Kannada district, no visible progress has been made in implementing the decision. The delay has drawn criticism from various quarters, particularly in the wake of recent communal tensions and violence.
The announcement was made by State Home Minister Dr. G. Parameshwara during his visit to Mangaluru on May 3, following the murder of rowdy-sheeter Suhas Shetty. While addressing a press conference, the minister had reiterated a promise first made in June 2023 to set up an anti-communal wing. However, even after nearly two years, the wing remains only on paper.
In his May 3 statement, Dr. Parameshwara clarified that the proposed Anti-Communal Task Force would function similarly to the Anti-Naxal Force and would be led by officers of the IGP rank. He also mentioned that unlike the earlier anti-communal wing, which was confined to the Mangaluru Commissionerate, the new task force would cover the entire Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts.
While the announcement was welcomed by peace-loving citizens and civil society members hoping for a check on communal violence, the idea faced political resistance. Some leaders, including BJP MLAs and MPs from the district, openly opposed the formation of such a force. These same leaders had actively held press conferences demanding justice for Suhas Shetty and portrayed him as a local hero.
A few days ago, a program titled ‘Bajpe Chalo – Janagraha’ was organised by a group demanding that the Suhas Shetty murder case be handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). The event was reportedly held without police permission and witnessed provocative speeches. Yet, the police allegedly did not intervene to stop it.
Merely two days after the rally, Abdul Rahman, the general secretary of the Kolathamajalu Juma Masjid, was hacked to death. His companion Qalandar Shafi alias Imtiaz, who was travelling with him in a pickup truck, sustained serious injuries in the attack and is currently under treatment at a hospital.
The timing of Abdul Rahman’s murder, soon after the Bajpe rally, has led to outrage among residents and activists, who accuse the authorities of inaction. While a case has been registered against the organisers and speakers of the Bajpe Janagraha program, locals allege that this is just a formality and that no firm action has been taken to prevent such incidents or arrest those behind hate speeches.
Critics have now questioned whether the proposed Anti-Communal Task Force will remain just another unfulfilled promise. Many believe that timely implementation of such a force could have possibly averted the latest communal murder and helped restore confidence among minority communities in the region.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Another North Goa nightclub sealed; Kejriwal says corruption led to fire tragedy
Panaji (PTI): As part of a crackdown against tourist establishments violating laws and safety norms in the aftermath of the Arpora fire tragedy, Goa authorities on Saturday sealed a renowned club at Vagator and revoked the fire department NOC of another club.
Cafe CO2 Goa, located on a cliff overlooking the Arabian Sea at Vagator beach in North Goa, was sealed. The move came two days after Goya Club, also in Vagator, was shut down for alleged violations of rules.
Elsewhere, campaigning for local body polls, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal said the fire incident at Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub at Arpora, which claimed 25 lives on December 6, happened because the BJP government in the state was corrupt.
An inspection of Cafe CO2 Goa by a state government-appointed team revealed that the establishment, with a seating capacity of 250, did not possess a no-objection certificate (NOC) of the Fire and Emergency Services Department. The club, which sits atop Ozrant Cliff, also did not have structural stability, the team found.
The Fire and Emergency Services on Saturday also revoked the NOC issued to Diaz Pool Club and Bar at Anjuna as the fire extinguishers installed in the establishment were found to be inadequate, said divisional fire officer Shripad Gawas.
A notice was issued to Nitin Wadhwa, the partner of the club, he said in the order.
Campaigning at Chimbel village near Panaji in support of his party's Zilla Panchayat election candidate, Aam Aadmi Party leader Kejriwal said the nightclub fire at Arpora happened because of the "corruption of the Pramod Sawant-led state government."
"Why this fire incident happened? I read in the newspapers that the nightclub had no occupancy certificate, no building licence, no excise licence, no construction licence or trade licence. The entire club was illegal but still it was going on," he said.
"How could it go on? Couldn't Pramod Sawant or anyone else see it? I was told that hafta (bribe) was being paid," the former Delhi chief minister said.
A person can not work without bribing officials in the coastal state, Kejriwal said, alleging that officers, MLAs and even ministers are accepting bribes.
