Mangaluru: Karnataka ADGP (Law and Order) Alok Kumar on Thursday said the authorities were taking measures to bring life back to normalcy in Dakshina Kannada district after tension erupted following three murders of youngsters of different communities in less than 10 days last month.

Kumar also stated that the prohibitory orders that are in place during the night in the district will be withdrawn in a phased manner.

“For now we are restricting pillion riders on two-wheeler vehicles. Senior citizens, women, and children will be exempted from this restriction. We have directed the concerned authorities to not allow pillion riders on the two-wheeler.” Kumar added.

He was addressing the media reporters after speaking to top police officials of Mangaluru Police Commissionarate, Dakshina Kannada Police, and Udupi Police. He took stock of the situation, investigations so far, and security arrangements in the region following the serial murders.

Responding to a query about whether the prohibitory orders will be extended further, he added that the restrictions will remain in place for some time and will be phased out. He added that the idea of phasing out a two-three-hour duration of night curfew was discussed.

“The situation is calm in the district at the moment. People have been able to walk around peacefully since last week. We are also closing monitoring the movements of miscreants and are vigilant about it. That is why I have come to the district. I have also directed the police to treat criminals as criminals.” He added.

“The investigation into the recent murders is progressing and I am personally monitoring it. Our focus is not just on documentation, but on creating a fool-proof case. In the cases that took place previously, we have seen suspects getting bails and acquittals due to lack of evidence and inadequate investigations. We are tracking the investigation of all those cases including the Sharath Madival case, Pinky Nawaaz case, and others. Some organizations are also under our radar and we are monitoring them.” He added.

“We have further obtained police custody of six people arrested in Faazil murder case. A thorough investigation will be carried led by investigating officer Mahesh Kumar about the conspiracy. Four people have been arrested in the Praveen murder case more people are being questioned. We have not arrested any innocent in the case and we have picked up people after getting enough information about their involvement in the case.” He further added.

Mangaluru Police Commissioner N Shashikumar, DK SP Rishikesh Sonawane, Udupi SP Vishnuvardhan, and other senior police officials were present with Kumar during the press briefing.

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Lucknow (PTI): The Uttar Pradesh Congress on Wednesday staged a statewide protest demanding a fair and transparent inquiry into the FIR lodged against Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati and those who filed the complaint against him.

In a statement issued here, the party said memorandums addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi were submitted through district magistrates in all districts of the state.

Uttar Pradesh Congress spokesperson Manish Hindvi told PTI that the memorandums were handed over through the district administration in all 75 districts.

In the memorandum, the party alleged that Saraswati and his disciples were "unnecessarily harassed and humiliated" by police on the occasion of Amavasya and were prevented from taking a ritual bath (at the Magh Mela). It further alleged that some disciples were manhandled and taken to a police station.

The memorandum also claimed that an FIR was later registered against Saraswati, his disciple Swami Mukundanand Brahmachari and several unidentified persons in a sexual harassment case. It termed the case a "conspiracy" aimed at tarnishing the seer's reputation.

Citing Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution, the memorandum stated that these provisions guarantee religious freedom and the right of religious denominations to manage their own affairs.

It described the position of shankaracharya held by Saraswati as "one of the highest spiritual posts in Sanatan tradition" and alleged that the entire episode appeared to have been "orchestrated in a planned manner".

"We request that the background of the persons who got the FIR registered be investigated in a transparent manner by a retired high court judge and strict action be taken against them," the memorandum said.

It also sought a "fair and transparent probe" into the allegations levelled against Saraswati so that the truth could be established.

Earlier, Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai had told reporters in Varanasi after meeting Saraswati that the party stood firmly with him.

The Congress said it would continue to press for an impartial inquiry into the entire episode.

On February 21, an FIR was lodged in Prayagraj against Saraswati and his disciple Mukundanand Brahmachari on charges of sexually abusing two persons, including a minor, over the past year at a gurukul and religious congregations, including the recently concluded Magh Mela.

Days after he was booked, Saraswati had said on Monday that he would not oppose his arrest and asserted that the "fabricated story" would be exposed sooner or later.

At a press conference on Wednesday, Saraswati alleged that criminals rule in Uttar Pradesh, level allegations and influence investigations, as he denied having any contact with the two persons for whose alleged sexual abuse he has been booked.