Congress panel submits report on coastal Karnataka communal tensions
Bengaluru, Jun 19 (PTI): A Congress-appointed fact-finding committee has recommended a holistic and multi-pronged approach, including socio-cultural interventions to address the vitiated communal atmosphere prevailing in coastal Karnataka.
The committee headed by Rajya Sabha MP Syed Naseer Hussain on Thursday submitted its report to Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar.
The committee, formed by the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC), comprises Manjunath Bhandary, V R Sudarshan, and senior leaders Kimmane Ratnakar, Jayaprakash Hegde, N A Harris, and Roji M John.
It examined the developments of the past two decades in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, and Uttara Kannada districts.
Addressing reporters, Hussain said, “We have submitted a confidential report to Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, who also serves as KPCC president. He will take it up with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Home Minister G Parameshwara, and Law Minister H K Patil.”
He clarified that the panel’s mandate was not to probe specific incidents but to study the overall communal atmosphere in the region, which he described as “vitiated.”
“Admissions to educational institutions have dropped, and economic activities have declined. The Chamber of Commerce has flagged concerns. Business establishments close by 7 pm. Hate speeches and provocations have created an atmosphere of fear.”
Accordiong to Hussain, both the majority and minority communities were contributing to escalating tensions in the coastal belt through their provocative actions.
“A type of vitiated atmosphere is prevailing. So we went there to assess the situation holistically,” he said, adding that the committee has also made key recommendations.
“We’ve suggested administrative actions, socio-cultural interventions, ways to strengthen the party, and political strategies that can be implemented,” he explained.
Underscoring that mere law-and-order measures or transfer of officials will not suffice, the MP said, “The need of the hour is a comprehensive and multi-pronged approach."
Highlighting the region’s legacy, Hussain said the coastal districts were once hubs of literature, music, education, and banking.
“This progressive and vibrant social fabric is now fraying. We’ve suffered immense loss in terms of human and cultural capital,” he lamented.
The report, he said, is aimed at restoring peace and putting coastal Karnataka back on the path of development.
Deputy CM Shivakumar, who received the report in the presence of the media, said he needed time to study it before commenting.
“I have just received it. I will go through the findings and respond later,” he said.
He, however, blamed the BJP and “various sections’ of the society for disturbing the law and order situation in the coastal region.
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Man killed in flat ceiling plaster crash, wife and son hurt
Thane (PTI): A 45-year-old man was killed, and his wife and son were injured when a portion of plaster from the ceiling collapsed in their flat in a seven-storey building in Thane on Saturday, officials said.
Chief of the Regional Disaster Management Cell, Yasin Tadvi, said the 16-year-old building is not listed in the "dangerous" category.
"The incident occurred in Karumdev Society at about 3 am. The plaster of the hall in a flat on the terrace floor suddenly fell while the occupants were asleep", he said.
Of the four people who were inside the room, two suffered minor injuries and were discharged after primary treatment, Tadvi stated.
The injured persons were identified as Arpita More (42), who suffered minor head injuries, and her son Arush More (16), who sustained injuries to both legs.
Manoj More (45), who sustained chest injuries, died during treatment at a private hospital.
