Mangaluru: Home Minister Dr G Parameshwar visited the city for the first time after assuming the post of Home Minister of the state, here on November 8.
A warm welcome was given to him at the Mangalore International Airport. Later, he visited the district sub-jail.
Dr Parameshwar later proceeded to the Circuit House. Addressing the mediapersons, Dr Parameshwar said that the recent incident which took place in the district sub-jail will be investigated. Those who are responsible for supplying weapons and involved in the killings, be it the jail staff or other conspirators will be punished severely, he assured.
He further said that the present jail does not have much facilities, so a new jail would be required. “A new jail will be built in Konaje. We have already identified 40 acres of land. ADGP of Prisons, Kamal Panth, after investigating the jail murders, has suspended five jail officers. A thorough investigation is going on to find out how the weapons were brought inside the jail premises, and those who were involved in the crime will be dealt with severely,” he added.
Dr Parameshwar further said, “I will talk to the chief minister as well as the finance minister to grant funds to build a jail in Konaje in the next budget. We will provide all the basic facilities to the inmates as well as the jail staff at the present district sub-jail. CCTV cameras and mobile network jammers will be installed in and around the jail premises. We have already appointed 20 CISF personnel for the district sub-jail and they will join duty soon.”
When asked about rumours that 60% of personnel in the police department are RSS trained, Dr Parameshwar replied that the selection is purely based on reservation and physical fitness of the candidate. “We have already recruited 8,000 candidates in the police department based on the written test, physical fitness and reservation. In Mangaluru, people are peace lovers.” He urged everyone to maintain peace and inform the police of any untoward incidents taking place so that they will act immediately. “The police are working hard to maintain law and order in the district. So far, we have appointed more than one lakh police personnel in the department and they will do their duty with integrity.”
District minister in-charge B Ramanath Rai, MLA J R Lobo, MLA Moideen Bava, MUDA Chairman Ibrahim Kodijal, SP Dr Sharanappa, Corporators Vinayraj, Lancelot Pinto and others were also present.