Joint operation against criminal activities in Dakshina Kannada: M'luru's new top cop Sudhir Reddy
Mangaluru: Newly appointed Mangaluru Police Commissioner Sudhir Reddy has announced that joint operations will be launched across Dakshina Kannada district to tackle criminal activities in coordination with senior police officials.
Speaking to reporters at the Commissioner’s Office on Saturday, Reddy stated, “Whether in urban or rural areas of the district, any criminal activity will be dealt with through joint operations involving the SP and DCPs. Strict action will be taken against offenders. This approach will also extend to other illegal activities.”
SP Dr. Arun Kumar, who was present during the interaction, echoed the Commissioner’s stance, stating, “That’s precisely why we are working together.”
Responding to a question on hate speech and provocative social media posts, Commissioner Reddy emphasized the clear distinction between freedom of speech and incitement to crime. “No statement should incite criminal acts. If someone violates the law in the name of free speech, legal provisions under the IPC and CrPC will be enforced. There is ample legal scope to take necessary action,” he said.
He further noted that the people of the district are aware of the law and that the police department is committed to upholding it. “For every crime, there is an appropriate legal remedy, and action will be taken accordingly,” he added.
On being asked about the need for reform in the grassroots policing system, Reddy responded, “All officers and personnel are competent. If anyone fails in their duties, I take full responsibility. If they work under proper guidance, there will be no issues.”
Regarding the resumption of the police phone-in program, the Commissioner said, “The public is welcome to bring complaints directly to us. We also take media-reported issues seriously. Investigations have always been carried out and will continue. Policing is our duty, and we will carry it out effectively.”
DCP Siddharth Goyal was also present during the briefing.
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BJP's Suvendu urges Bengal Guv to order independent judicial inquiry into Messi event fiasco
Kolkata(PTI): Leader of Opposition in West Bengal assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, on Saturday wrote to Governor C V Ananda Bose, seeking an independent judicial inquiry into “administrative incompetence” and “public humiliation of citizens”at the Salt Lake Stadium here during an event featuring football legend Lionel Messi.
In his letter, Adhikari alleged that the stadium, built with public funds, was converted into a “private durbar” for political elites, resulting in humiliation and harassment of spectators who had purchased tickets.
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"I write this communication with a profound sense of anguish, constitutional alarm, and moral urgency. What unfolded at the Yuva Bharati Krirangan was not merely an episode of administrative incompetence, it was a public humiliation of citizens, a grotesque exhibition of unrestrained political privilege, and a direct assault on the rule of law in the presence of thousands of witnesses," Adhikari asserted.
He claimed that football fans were denied basic amenities and dignified viewing due to unchecked VIP presence, obstruction of sightlines, and arbitrary restrictions.
Chaos unfolded at the Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday, after spectators resorted to vandalism on failing to catch a glimpse of Messi, alleging gross mismanagement by the organisers and obstruction of views by VIPs.
Police arrested the event’s prime organiser, Satadru Datta, while Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced the constitution of a high-level inquiry committee to probe the incident.
Adhikari, in his letter, held the sports department, police authorities and the minister-in-charge of sports and youth affairs responsible, alleging that the situation was “enabled, if not orchestrated”, by the state administration.
He claimed that the conduct of the authorities reflected indifference to public accountability and misuse of power.
The senior BJP leader also took exception to the inquiry committee announced by the chief minister, contending that it lacked independence and credibility.
Adhikari said the panel is headed by Justice (Retd) Asim Ray, who currently holds a statutory post under the administrative control of the state government, and includes senior bureaucrats whose actions are under scrutiny.
"This committee is structurally compromised, legally infirm, and morally indefensible," he said in the letter to the governor.
Adhikari urged Bose to exercise his constitutional authority to order the formation of a truly independent inquiry committee.
He proposed that the committee be headed by a sitting judge of the Calcutta High Court, and assisted by persons of unimpeachable integrity with no institutional, administrative or political affiliation with the state government.
“The issue transcends football, politics, and personalities. It concerns the right of citizens to be treated with dignity, the obligation of the state to act as trustee of public interest, and the duty of constitutional authorities to intervene when the executive becomes a law unto itself,” Adhikari said.
Later, speaking to reporters, he accused the state government of mismanaging the situation at Salt Lake Stadium, and demanded the resignation of the CM.
Adhikari said all those responsible for the fiasco should be arrested, and spectators must be provided refunds.
He alleged that senior Trinamool Congress leaders and their associates crowded around Messi, leaving thousands of fans at the stadium deprived of catching a clear glimpse of the football star.
“This was a case of misuse of power at the cost of ordinary citizens. The chief minister must take moral responsibility, those responsible for the incident should be arrested, and every fan who was cheated must get a refund,” Adhikari asserted.
He added that public anger would not subside without accountability and corrective action.
