Inclusion of Udupi in Special Action Force will not tarnish district’s image: G Parameshwara
Udupi: Karnataka Home Minister Dr G Parameshwara has clarified that the inclusion of Udupi in the recently formed Special Action Force (SAF) to prevent communal tensions along the coastal belt does not imply that the district is communally sensitive. He stated that the measure was taken purely for precautionary purposes based on recent incidents in the region.
Speaking to reporters at the Udupi guest house on Saturday after offering special prayers at the Kollur Mookambika Temple earlier in the day, the Minister responded to objections raised by MLA Yashpal Suvarna over Udupi’s inclusion in the SAF.
"I have already appealed to the public to ensure that this force remains unused. If no communal incidents take place, the need for such a task force becomes irrelevant. Whether it is necessary or not should be decided by the people themselves. If there is no need, doesn’t that mean communalism is gone?" he said with a smile.
He stressed that the move does not affect the dignity or image of Udupi district. “When we set up the ANF headquarters in Karkala to tackle Naxal activity, did anyone say Udupi’s prestige was hurt? Many were killed by Naxals back then. Just because there is a police presence, does that mean the area has lost its honour?” he asked.
The Minister also clarified that the SAF will be under the jurisdiction of the Mangaluru Police Commissioner, while the IGP will oversee three districts.
Responding to a question on the caste census, Dr Parameshwara said the state cabinet has already decided to conduct a fresh survey due to complaints from several communities and organisations regarding the inaccuracy of data in the earlier report.
“The current caste data is over ten years old. In the past decade, the population has grown by 1.5 crore, and many have pointed out that the earlier data doesn’t reflect this. Therefore, the state government has decided to conduct a new caste census on scientific grounds,” he said.
He also noted that the Union government’s census does not include data on social, educational, or economic backwardness, which is why the state is conducting its own enumeration.
On his temple visit, the Minister clarified that it was personal. “This is not an official visit. Visiting temples is part of our tradition. I went to seek the blessings of Mookambika Devi. Why I went and what I prayed for is not something you should ask or I should disclose,” he said.
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Police crack whip against inciteful social media posts
Mangaluru (Karnataka) (PTI): Police have registered a case on their own after discovering a series of alarming and provocative posts on Instagram, allegedly aimed at inciting communal hatred, glorifying violence and threatening revenge attacks in the city.
According to the FIR, filed by Police Sub-inspector Anita Nikkam of the Kankanady Town Police Station, the officer who was monitoring social media platforms on December 2 as per the instructions of senior officials, came across multiple Instagram accounts sharing inflammatory content.
The FIR states that posts and stories on 16 Instagram accounts reportedly carried images of unknown individuals brandishing weapons, including pistols, revolvers, swords and machetes, some with their faces masked.
Police said the posts were crafted to instil fear, provoke violence, create hostility between communities and disrupt public order in Mangaluru.
The FIR states that the content appeared to be part of a larger attempt to incite hatred between religions and communities, encourage unlawful activities, and disturb peace and communal harmony.
The complaint notes that Mangaluru is a 'sensitive region', and that the posts indicated a coordinated attempt to create fear, trigger riots, conspiracies and criminal acts through social media.
Police have initiated action under relevant sections of law and are tracing the individuals behind the Instagram accounts.
Further investigation is under way.
