Legal action against attacks based on suspicion of illegal residency: Mangaluru Police Commissioner
Mangaluru: Mangaluru City Police Commissioner Sudhir Kumar Reddy has warned that strict legal action will be taken against anyone who carries out attacks on individuals merely on the basis of suspicion that they are illegal residents. He clarified that while action will be taken against those residing illegally in accordance with the law, those who take the law into their own hands will also face criminal proceedings.
The Police Commissioner made this statement while referring to a provocative message circulated in a WhatsApp group named “Hindu Geleyara Balaga”. The message alleged that people were running businesses by putting up a board reading “Bengali Canteen” behind the Rao & Rao Circle auto-rickshaw stand, and accused the police of deliberately ignoring the issue. The message also urged members of Hindu organisations to share the information.
Sudhir Kumar Reddy stated that FIRs have already been registered against two individuals for posting such messages and that they will be arrested soon.
“We have noticed that such messages are being posted in certain groups. We have verified the background of the concerned family and found that a property was purchased in their name in 2014. There is no evidence whatsoever to suggest that they are not Indian citizens,” the Police Commissioner clarified.
He further stated that some people are circulating messages on WhatsApp that could lead to attacks on innocent individuals. The police have taken action in the past against such attacks on Indian migrant workers in Mangaluru, he added.
If anyone has information about persons suspected to have come from Bangladesh, they may share it with the local police stations, ACPs, or the Police Commissioner’s office. After due verification, legal action will be initiated and deportation will be carried out strictly in accordance with the law, he assured.
However, he warned that if anyone shares details of Indian citizens by branding them as “Bangladeshis” based on suspicion, or circulates messages that incite attacks against certain groups, strict legal action will be taken against them.
Attacking anyone, including those allegedly residing illegally, is a criminal offence under the law. Cases will be registered and investigations conducted against such individuals as well. The law is clear, and even those who believe they are above the law will be dealt with strictly as per legal provisions, the Police Commissioner warned.
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Manjeshwar: MLA A K M Ashraf, over 15 others detained during toll gate protest at Kumble
Manjeshwar: Police on Thursday detained more than 15 people, including Manjeshwar legislator A K M Ashraf, in connection with the protest against toll collection at the Kumble Arikkadi toll plaza on National Highway 66.
The detentions were carried out by Kumble police after protesters attempted to continue an indefinite agitation near the toll gate. Police also removed the temporary tarpaulin shelter erected by the protesters at the site.
The action followed an incident late Wednesday night in which protesters allegedly vandalised the toll plaza at Kumble Arikkadi. According to police, CCTV cameras, barricades and glass panels at the toll gate were damaged during the protest. An FIR has been registered against more than 500 people in connection with the incident.
On Wednesday, protesters reportedly took out a procession from Kumble town to the toll gate, demanding the suspension of toll collection and allegedly vandalized toll booth. The protest continued on Thursday morning.
Kasaragod Superintendent of Police had earlier appealed to Ashraf to withdraw the indefinite protest, citing concerns over law and order. Police said that when the MLA declined to do so, a team led by Deputy Superintendent of Police Sunil Kumar moved in and detained Ashraf along with other protesters.
Among those taken into custody were CPM Kumble zonal secretary C A Zubair, Kumble Gram Panchayat president V P Abdul Khader Haji, Block Panchayat Standing Committee president Ashraf Karle, A K Arif, and Congress leader Lakshman Prabhu.
