DK Shivakumar accuses BJP, other organisations of provocation; assures peace in Dakshina Kannada
Bengaluru, May 30 (PTI): Asserting that the government will bring the situation in the communally sensitive coastal region, especially Dakshina Kannada district, under control, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Friday accused the BJP and other organisations of indulging in provocations.
He was speaking about the alleged deteriorating law and order situation in the district, in the wake of the killing of 32- year-old Abdul Rahiman in Bantwal taluk on Tuesday.
Rahiman's murder comes close on the heels of Hindu activist Suhas Shetty's killing on May 1 in the communally sensitive Dakshina Kannada district.
"Everything will be under control. The BJP and several organisations are provoking things in Karnataka. They should understand who is at loss. The loss is for Karnataka and Dakshina Kannada district. People are migrating. Already, youth are going out as they are not getting jobs. We are trying to create jobs," Shivakumar said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said some minorities are expressing worry.
"I'm also sending a team from our (Congress) party. They will go tomorrow and they will submit a report. What officials and bureaucrats do is different. Our (party) team, will meet the people from all sections and submit a report. There is worry, but our government is committed to controlling it in every way," he added.
Meanwhile, Home Minister G Parameshwara said that the government has taken the violent incidents in the coastal region seriously. Such things will not be tolerated and there should be peace in Dakshina Kannada district and the region, he said.
"Those trying to disturb peace will not be tolerated ...the situation was unavoidable for us to transfer some officers. So Mangaluru Commissioner, Dakshina Kannada and Udupi Superintendents of Police have been changed. There was demand from locals for changes. The chief minister and I have given instructions to officials who have been newly appointed to take all strict measures to ensure peace. We will monitor," he said.
Noting that he had discussed with the Director General of Police regarding the deployment of the newly formed 'Anti- Communal Force', the home minister said, "From today itself the work will start on structuring and then they will be deployed in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Shivamogga districts, and strict instructions will be given to them on maintaining peace."
Assuring action against those making instigative and hate speeches, he said unnecessary posts on social media will be controlled. He also indicated about transfers of more officials in the days ahead.
Asked if there was any political influence behind the series of killings in Dakshina Kannada, he said, "We are finding the source, who are behind it. Accordingly, action will be taken."
To a question on Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao reportedly expressing his wish not to continue as district in-charge of Dakshina Kannada, Parameshwara said, "He has been saying this from the beginning, not after the current incident. He has been saying that someone from that part of the state should be made in-charge. It is left to the discretion of the CM."
Meanwhile, Rao said peace should be established and strict action will be taken against those who are spreading enmity and communal hatred.
"We want people from all religions, castes and sections to live peacefully together. But some people want to do politics, which is not right.
Establishing a cordial atmosphere, law and order is our priority, along with taking merciless action against those indulging in such communal activities -- these things have to be done. I have called a meeting of officials tomorrow in Mangaluru," he said.
Rejecting reports that he doesn't have a free hand as the district in-charge minister, Rao said he is working taking everyone along.
"My responsibility is to ensure peace. I have made honest efforts for it and will continue to do so," he added.
Meanwhile, BJP leader and Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje, alleging the collapse of law and order in Dakshina Kannada, said that the government has lost control.
"...our children are dying, the government is doing politics," she said.
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Illegal sand mining has created environmental crisis in National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary: SC
New Delhi (PTI): The Supreme Court on Friday said rampant illegal riverbed sand mining has created an "environmental crisis" and wreaked "havoc" in the National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary, causing a grave risk to the gharial (long-snouted crocodile) preservation project.
Slamming the states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh for their utter failure in dealing with the issue, the apex court directed them to install high-resolution Wi-Fi-enabled CCTV cameras along all routes frequently used for illegal sand mining in the area.
A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta directed that live feed of such surveillance cameras shall be placed under the direct control, supervision and operational oversight of the superintendent of police or the senior superintendent of police of the concerned district and the divisional forest officer.
It said these officers shall ensure continuous and effective monitoring of the CCTV feeds by designating appropriate officers.
"It can't be gainsaid that the issues involved are of great concern in as much as the rampant illegal mining activities in the river bed have created an environmental crisis and havoc in the National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary causing a grave risk to the very project of gharial preservation of which the state governments themselves were proponents and were under an obligation to foster and promote," Justice Mehta said while pronouncing the order.
The bench directed the authorities in these three states to initiate prompt and necessary action under law if any instance of illegal mining or allied activities comes to light.
It said the authorities shall ensure seizure of vehicles or machinery found involved in illegal sand mining and also initiate prosecution of persons involved in it.
The bench, which passed several other directions, posted the matter for hearing on May 11.
The top court passed the order in a suo motu case titled 'In Re: Illegal sand mining in the National Chambal Sanctuary and threat to endangered aquatic wildlife'.
The National Chambal Sanctuary, also called the National Chambal Gharial Wildlife Sanctuary, is a 5,400-sq km tri-state protected area.
Besides the endangered gharial, it is home to the red-crowned roof turtle and the endangered Ganges river Dolphin.
Located on the Chambal river near the tripoint of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, the sanctuary was first declared a protected area in Madhya Pradesh in 1978 and now constitutes a long and narrow eco-reserve co-administered by the three states.
On March 13, the top court took suo motu cognisance of news reports about rampant illegal sand mining on the banks of the Chambal river.
