Guerilla Type of Activities causing Communal Violence in District – Ramanath Rai
Mangaluru: “In the district, communal forces are carrying out Guerilla type of activities. Earlier the communal violence used to quell in a few days, but now we see the situation being under control but in reality, it is not. Communal forces are trying to spoil the peace and harmony in the district”, said the District Minister In-charge Ramanath Rai in Peace meet held at the DC office here on July 13.
Leaders from various organisations gathered at the DC office to attend the Peace meeting. JD(S) leader Aziz Kudroli and Vasanth Poojary before walking out of the peace meeting said, “We asked for permission to hold “Shanthiya Nade”, a peace march from Light House Hill Road to the DC Office. Once the permission was given but later it was cancelled. Former PM Deve Gowda and State President of JD(S) Kumaraswamy consented to take part in the peace march, but due to the denial of permission, we had to cancel our programme. The JD(S) is boycotting the Peace meet for denying permission for the Shanthiya Nade”.
In response, DC said, “On July 12 the JD(S), leaders approached me seeking permission to hold the Peace March. The state president spoke to me on phone. We did not deny nor approve permission. We thought of discussing the issue with the police before giving the permission to hold the peace march.”
Ramanath Rai said, “Being the district minister, I do not have any information about the Peace March”.
Saleem from Muslim organisation said, “Some police are working in the same police station from a very long time. They should not be allowed to work for a long time in one particular police station in the same district. There are some corrupt police in the department. Some media spreads false rumours which should be curbed. We should keep the media under control.”
K R Sriyan from CPI(M), Fr Denis Moras Prabhu, Fr Oneil D’Souza, K Yadav Shetty, Sitaram Berinja, Ahmed Jamal, Melwyn Pinto, Haneef Kodaje, Muneer Katipalla, Sunil Kumar Bajal shared their opinion on the occasion.
Fr Denis Moras Prabhu said, “There are hurdles in having the Peace meeting. Today we are here to find a solution to maintain peace and harmony in the district. What kind of leaders are those who boycott the peace meeting? We have to preach peace and harmony in our communities. People fight in the name of religion, but if we preach the people of our community to be disciplined and not to harm anyone then there will be peace. Religious heads should be called for the Peace meet so that they can go and preach the people in their community.”
Fr Oneil said, “Those who deliver inciting speeches should be strictly dealt with. Earlier one of the political leader said that the district will be burnt and today another leader says that Karnataka will burn. The police should take action against those who create violence with their inciting speeches.”
Minister Khader said, “When there is communal unrest in the district, the opposition holds Me and Ramanath Rai responsible. People who want peace in the district are here taking part in the peace meeting. Those who want communal violence did not attend the peace meeting. Ashraf and Sharath who were brutally murdered were innocent and it has pained us. The government will provide compensation to both Ashraf and Sharath’s families and also to those who have been assaulted and admitted to the hospital, their hospital charges will be paid through the CM’s Relief fund. When we stop giving priority to those who are involved in violence, their activities will stop. Police officers should take advise from the good people who are involved in social service and people’s representatives to curb communal violence in the district”.
Leaders from various organisations appreciated Minister Ramanath Rai for holding the Peace meeting. MLAs Abhaychandra Jain, Moideen Bava and Shakuntala Shetty, Mayor Kavitha, Police Commissioner T R Suresh, IGP Western Range Harishekaraan, SP Sudheer Reddy, ZP CEO Dr Ravi and ADC Kumar were also present.
