MANGALURU: In the absence of the District Minister and representatives from minority communities, various organisations presented their views on communal clashes, at a peace committee meeting at Police Commissioner’s office here on Tuesday.
Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader M B Puranik said some groups have been involved in hurting the religious sentiments of the public for many years.
The state government has failed to point out the reasons for the clashes, he said. The Ulaibettu incident is nothing but a plot to hurt Datta Mala devotees, he alleged. The government and the police department should understand the reality and not book cases against innocent people, he said.
Former member of Legislative Council Monappa Bhandary said the violence was a result of the failure of the government to prevent illegal cow transportation, religious conversions and “love jihad”.
Such illegal activities disturb communal harmony, he said. “The public get information on the illegal activities, but the police do not,” he said.
Hindu Jagarana Vedike leader Sathyajith Surathkal said the police should not take sides while booking cases.
Former minister Krishna J Palemar said the police inaction was the reason for the last week’s clash at Ulaibettu.
The commissioner of police should act strictly, he said.CPM district committee member Yadava Shetty said the government should understand the communal agenda of both majority and minorities.
Nagarika Hitharakshana Vedike president Hanumanth Kamath said the police should not succumb to political pressure.
Western range IGP Amritpal, Superintendent of Police S D Sharanappa, Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat CEO Tulasi Maddineni and others were present on the occasion.
On the demand for slapping Goonda Act on the accused in the clashes, Commissioner of Police R Hithendra said it cannot be done without valid reasons. It will lead to many complications, he added.
Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner A B Ibrahim said all the expenditures incurred at the hospitals for the treatment of the people injured in the violence will be paid by district administration.
The Muslim Central Committee boycotted the peace committee meeting. It issued a press release stating that it wanted the District Minister, MLAs and MPs from district to attend the meeting.