K'taka govt. establishes special task force in DK, Udupi, Shivamogga to combat anti-social elements
Mangaluru: The Karnataka government on Thursday issued orders to establish the STF-Special Task Force (STF) in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Shivamogga districts in order to curtail anti-social, communal forces.
“Communal conflicts are taking place frequently in the coastal districts, which is affecting law and order. Such incidents are becoming a black spot for the administration, and in order to control this, the government is forming the STF,” said Home Minister Dr. G. Parameshwara in Mangaluru.
Member of the Legislative Council, Ivan D'souza speaking on the formation of STF, said, “To curb forces that are harmful to society, the government has decided to establish a special task force in the coastal and Malnad districts. It will also act against those making provocative statements and speeches. We will request the government to set up the STF headquarters in Mangaluru, covering the districts of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, and Shivamogga.”
According to official sources, the proposal to form the STF was put forth by the respective district Superintendents of Police and Police Commissioners, and subsequently approved.
Intelligence inputs also suggest the movement of Naxal elements from Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand into the border areas of Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, prompting a restructuring within the existing Anti-Naxal Force (ANF).
According to reports, of the 667 sanctioned positions in the ANF, 248 have now been reassigned to the STF, while the remaining 376 will continue in ANF roles for the next three years. The STF will comprise 1 DIGP, 1 DySP (Civil), 1 Assistant Commandant, 4 PI/RPI, 16 PSI/RSI/SI, 60 CHC, 150 CPC/APC, and 15 support staff.
The force will operate through three companies stationed in Udupi, Shivamogga, and Dakshina Kannada.
The functioning of the STF is as follows:
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To have an intelligence unit comprising a technical cell to collect and monitor media and social media, intelligence information for hate speech, inflammatory incidents and communal incidents.
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Create a warning system through surveillance and human intelligence for potential communal violence.
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The STF will engage in confidence-building measures and establish a visible presence in sensitive areas to deter unrest.
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Efforts will also be made to identify and monitor individuals showing signs of radicalization.
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The Zonal IGP will take action to deploy special task force officers and personnel in the event of communal riots.
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Illegally stored gas cylinders seized
Thane (PTI): Authorities have seized illegally stored 1,839 gas cylinders and seven vehicles worth over Rs 67 lakh in the Dombivli MIDC area of Thane district, officials said on Saturday.
A special vigilance team of the Mumbai Rationing Department detected an illegal storage of domestic and commercial LPG cylinders in Phase-2 of Dombivli (East).
Cylinders belonging to multiple gas agencies were found stockpiled in closed vehicles, unauthorised warehouses, and open sheds without mandatory permissions from the Explosives Department, Fire Department, or oil companies, according to an official release.
