Home Minister K J George said the state government will take necessary action against to close down live bands, dance bars, video game gambling and other illegal activities in the city.
Speaking to reporter at the City Police Commissioner’s office here on Saturday, he said, “We have called a meeting of MLAs on June 21 to discuss how to stop these illegal activities and prevent it from spreading to other districts. Apart from MLAs, former judges, senior police officers, owners of bars and restaurants will be taking part in the meeting. Bars and restaurants functioning legally need not worry”, he said.
The Home Minister said police transfers will be in accordance with the directions of the Supreme Court and there will be no scope for political interference. “The Police Establishment Board (PEB) will oversee the transfers of DySPs and the government will interfere only if necessary. We will recruit 8,000 police personnel to bring down the work pressure. We will give 20 per cent reservation to women and importance to tribal in police recruitment,” he said.
On the issue of Naxals, he said they will be encouraged to join the mainstream and that the government is open to talks with them. “I will visit Mangalore on June 19 to take stock of the probe into the the church attacts that occurred two years ago,” he added.
The minister stressed on the need to form a separate cadre for the state intelligence and added that the process has been started. The state government is also planning to construct 4,000 houses for police personnel by adopting HUDCO technology. “The state will provide financial assistance to retired police officials to build houses,” he added.
City Police Commissioner Jyothiprakash Mirji, Additional Commissioners Kamal Pant and M A Saleem and other officials were present.