Speaker U.T. Khader demands high-level probe against former Police Commissioner, SP in DK
Mangaluru: Karnataka Assembly Speaker U.T. Khader has urged the state government to initiate a high-level investigation against former Police Commissioner and Superintendent of Police of Dakshina Kannada district, citing their alleged inaction during recent disturbing communal incidents in the region.
Addressing a press conference at the Circuit House in Mangaluru on Thursday, Khader emphasised that while all IPS officers hold the same qualifications, the manner in which they enforce the law varies. “Officials deployed to Dakshina Kannada should have taken stronger action against hate speech, communal provocations, and inflammatory posts on social media,” he said. “Unfortunately, past officials failed in this regard, and hence a detailed probe is necessary,” he said.
Khader revealed that prior to departing for Hajj, he had clearly instructed the then Commissioner and SP to act decisively against those promoting hatred online and through speeches. However, both officers reportedly expressed helplessness, citing legal limitations. “I told them – do your job as police officers, not as lawyers or judges,” Khader added. “The new officers have taken tougher measures, and according to reports, nearly 60% of hate content on social media has now been curbed,” he said.
He stressed that no one has the right to incite violence or commit murder, and such acts must be universally condemned. “All officers must uphold the law uniformly. The government should establish a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to guide such enforcement,” he urged.
Khader described recent incidents in Mangaluru as unfortunate and damaging to the district’s communal harmony. “Our aim should be to foster peace. Differences in opinion are acceptable but must be resolved through dialogue. It is not just the responsibility of elected representatives but also of every citizen and civil society organization to protect harmony,” he said. “Religious teachings should never become weapons to harm minds or bodies—they should instead offer healing and peace, “ he added.
Referring to the murder of Suhas Shetty, Khader noted that there had been early warnings of retaliatory attacks. “Despite this, hate speech was rampant and the authorities remained silent,” he said.
He also urged that those supporting such violent acts, be it lawyers, courts, or politicians, must refrain from doing so. “Only then can we preserve peace in the district,” Khader remarked.
When asked about demands to transfer the Suhas Shetty murder case to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Khader stated, “Let the victim’s family submit a request to the government. Based on that, the matter can be considered for discussion,” he said.
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.
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.
