Those behind 3 murders in DK district will be arrested, punished soon: DGP Praveen Sood
Mangaluru, Aug 1: Karnataka Director General of Police Praveen Sood on Monday assured that those involved and behind three murders in Dakshina Kannada district in the last ten days would be arrested and punished soon irrespective of their organisational or ideological background.
The DGP, who reviewed the developments and investigation with top officials, also called on people to cooperate with the police by coming forward and sharing information, if any, regarding the murders.
"Three murders have taken place in ten days: The first is the Masood case in which eight people were arrested and sent to judicial custody. Second, the Praveen murder case in which two were arrested and further inquiry is on. We will nab the killers and strictly punish them. Third is the Fazil case wherein there has been definite progress, a car used for the crime and its owner have been found," Sood said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said, based on the arrests made and investigation so far, further arrests, if any, would be made, and also measures would be taken to see to it that such incidents don't get repeated and there is peace in the region.
"...I assure the people that all those behind the three cases, also whichever organisation or ideology is behind them, we will not leave them. We will take strict action against them," he added.
A 32-year old zilla Bharatiya Yuva Morcha committee member Praveen Nettar was hacked to death by unidentified motorbike-borne assailants on the night of July 26 at Bellare in Sullia taluk in Dakshina Kannada district, which had sparked outrage.
Two persons with suspected links with the Popular Front of India (PFI) were arrested by the Karnataka police in connection with the murder on July 28.
Masood (18) was murdered in Bellare before Nettar's killing; Mohammed Fazil (23) was hacked to death at Surathkal Mangaluru city outskirts after it.
At this stage, more than finding a link between cases, the priority of the police is to physically catch hold of the murderers and to interrogate them, Sood said, adding that once the investigation is over, it would be mentioned in the charge sheet whether there were any links to other cases.
"At this preliminary stage, it will be wrong to say there were links based on mere speculation and it is not good for society by unnecessarily linking two deaths, as it will further vitiate the atmosphere. Whether there is link or not murder is a murder...neither police nor the dead body has any religion," he added.
Naturally, there is an atmosphere of fear because of the three murders, the DGP said. Officials have taken several measures in this regard, and that he, too, has held meetings with ADGP, Commissioner, also Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police, Dakshina Kannada, in this regard.
"Increasing patrolling and in border areas, having strong checkpost, and effective human intelligence is important. Also enhancing the police staff in Dakshina Kannada is necessary and steps are being taken in this regard," he said.
Noting that for any incident there would be an eyewitness or someone who is aware of it, Sood urged the citizens to come forward and cooperate with the police with regard to the cases.
"Police have the responsibility to nab the culprits, but it is not the duty of police alone, it should be a combined effort. Irrespective of religious background, we should join hands to maintain peace," he added.
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Ban on outsiders' entry extended in Sambhal, SP MPs barred from entering
Lucknow/Sambhal (UP) (PTI): Three Samajwadi Party parliamentarians, including its Sambhal MP, were stopped from entering the violence-hit district, as the administration on Saturday extended the ban on the entry of outsiders into Sambhal to December 10 to maintain "peace and order".
The administration's earlier ban on the entry of outsiders was to expire on Saturday.
The Samajwadi Party's Muzaffarnagar MP Harendra Malik, accompanied by its Kairana and Sambhal MPs, was stopped from entering Sambhal from Ghaziabad.
"I don't understand why we are being stopped. Are the opposition leader and the MPs so irresponsible that they can't be allowed to move within the state?" Malik said.
The party had earlier announced a 15-member delegation would visit the district to gather information about the violence that broke out over a court-ordered survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid.
Curbs under Section 163 (power to issue order in urgent cases of nuisance or apprehended danger) of the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita, set to expire on Sunday, were extended to December 31.
In a statement issued in Sambhal, District Magistrate Rajendra Pensiya said, "To maintain peace and order, the imposition of Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita in the district has been extended to December 31."
"No outsider, any social organisation or public representative can enter into the borders of the district without seeking the permission of the competent authority till December 10," he added.
Tension had been brewing in Sambhal since November 19 when the court-ordered survey of the Mughal-era mosque was carried out following claims that a Harihar temple previously stood at the site.
Violence erupted during a second survey on November 24 as protesters gathered near the mosque and clashed with security personnel, leading to stone pelting and arson. Four people died and several others were injured in the clashes. The police have denied allegations that it fired at the protesters.
The Supreme Court has since ordered the Sambhal trial court to halt proceedings in the case and its survey.
Pensiya further said, "If anyone tries to spread rumours on any group on social media, the group admin will delete the post and immediately inform the police. Cyber cafes will keep a register to enter the names of visitors. No person in Sambhal will burn effigies at public places."
Malik, who was stopped from entering Sambhal, further said, "Our delegation also included MPs Zia-ur-Rehman Barq (Sambhal) and Iqra Hasan (Kairana). What can we do? The government is acting in an autocratic manner."
Sambhal MP Barq has been booked in connection with the November 24 violence for "provocative acts".
In Moradabad, Samajwadi Party MP Ruchi Veera's residence was surrounded by cops to prevent her from travelling to Sambhal.
Leader of Opposition in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly Mata Prasad Pandey, who was to lead the delegation, told reporters outside his Lucknow residence that Home Secretary Sanjay Prasad called him and requested him to not visit Sambhal.
Pandey is sitting on a dharna in Lucknow.
"The Sambhal district magistrate also called and told me that the ban on the entry of outsiders had been extended. I will now visit the party office and discuss the issue before deciding on our next action," he said.
"The government perhaps wanted to prevent me in order to hide its wrongdoings in Sambhal as our visit would have exposed its mistakes," he added.
Heavy security has been deployed outside Pandey's residence since Friday.
The Samajwadi Party had postponed an earlier visit after assurances from the director general of police about a fair investigation into the violence.
Congress state chief Ajay Rai earlier told PTI that a party delegation would visit Sambhal on December 2.
