Mangalore, October 01: To discuss on the security measures for maintaining peace and harmony, law and order during the fast approaching festivals Vijayadashami, Bakrid, Deepavali, Christmas etc, a peace committee meeting was chaired at Dakshina Kannada DC’s office in Mangalore on September 30th.
Dakshina Kannada District-in-Charge Minister B Ramanath Rai directed the police officials not to succumb to political pressures during tense situations and to take strict action against the law breakers.
The minister further said that the persons who take law into their hands will be immediately detained at any cost and he directed the police officials to carry out their duty promptly, without bowing to any pressure. If anyone disturbs the police from carrying out their duty, by picketing the police station and protesting, such people should be arrested as well. Cases should be booked against people who provoke communal riots and disharmony.
M B Puranik, the State President of VHP-Vishwa Hindu Parishat, requested the concerned authorities to take steps to not to sacrifice animals during Bakrid at public places. Also, the illegal transportation of cattle should be checked by the department of police, so as to prevent hurting the religious feelings.
Muslim Central Committee (DK and Udupi district) President Muhammed Masood said that as per the religious law, only goat and lamb are supposed to be sacrificed as a part of ‘Khurbani’. Action should be taken against the illegal transporters of cattle, he said.
Balakrishna Rai of Federation of India suggested conducting peace meeting at each police station. Mogaveera Vyavasthapana Mandali President Yathish Baikampadi said there was a need to improve public relations at police stations, towards the effective maintenance of peace.
Nagarike Vedike President Hanumantha Kamath suggested conducting peace meeting once in three months at all police stations. Meanwhile he said that pressure on police by political party leaders to release the followers of their party, should be strictly curbed. For effective prevention of undesirable incidents, intelligence network should be more objective. He added that it has become an unhealthy trend to transfer police officials after communal riots.
Participants in the meeting suggested installing CCTV cameras in sensitive areas. There was another opinion that the Prevention of Animal Sacrifice – Act (Amendment), 1963, should be strictly enforced which says that animal sacrifice is prohibited for religious reasons.
R Hithendra, Commissioner of Police said that all possible measures will be initiated as per the law and order, to maintain peace. In this regard, the public need to co-operate, also the illegal activities will not be ignored and the law takes its course.
Prior to this peace meet, Minister B Ramanath Rai also held a law and order meet with the Deputy Commissioner and higher rank police officials.
In this meet, Deputy Commissioner A B Ibrahim, MLC Ivan D’Souza DK Zilla Panchayat CEO Thulasi Maddineni, Superintendent of Police Dr D Sharanappa, representatives from education, social and religious fronts and the public in considerable numbers were present.
