Mangaluru, February 28: A peace meet was organized at the DC office here ahead of the Virat Hindu Samajotsava on Friday February 27th by district administration along with the police department.
The meeting was presided over by District incharge minister B Ramanath Rai.
DC A B Ibrahim addressing the meet, said, “Dakshina Kannada has gained fame all over the globe. Certain incidents which had taken place here have made it infamous. When peace, harmony and lifestyle of the people are disrupted, development of the district gets effected. Hence the district administration has initiated necessary steps to maintain peace in the district. As many as 200 cameras and 500 CCTV cameras have been installed in various places, especially in the sensitive areas. The religious centres are also directed to install CCTV cameras and flood lights.
He informed that already peace meets were held in all taluks and Section 144 imposed in places like Bajpe, Suratkal, Kulai, Ulaibettu, Deralakette and Karaya where clashes had taken place recently. He said, already 4,000 police personnel have been deployed, among which are 30 KSRP troop, 10 DAR troop and two RAF forces. He urged the public to maintain peace and harmony in the district.
District incharge minister Ramanath Rai said, it is sad that DK has become a very communally sensitive district since past few years. Some people provoke tensions.
The district administration is holding this peace meeting so that no innocent suffers. The clever people flee while innocents suffer. Discussions are carried out about the arrangements with ADGP (law and order). The district administration has asked the Samajotsava organizers to end the programme by 5.30 pm, he said.
MLA J R Lobo said, let us all support this programme. However, the organizers have to remove the provocative banners put up related to the programme, if failed it will lead to law and order problem. Communal glitch will affect our economy. The provocative speeches delivered by outsiders will hinder growth of the city.
VHP Karnataka province working president M B Purnaik said, VHP is organizing this Samajotsava to celebrate its golden jubilee. VHP was formed to reform the society. This convention is held to bring equality in the Hindu Samaj and is against suppression. We are all Hindus and Indians, we want peace, harmony.
Ibrahim Kodijal – District Congress interim president urged the organizers of the Samajotsava, to ensure that the speakers do not to provoke or insult other communities.
Balakrishna Rai of National Human Rights Federation said, the administration should ban liquor and arrange proper security in sensitive areas and impose sections 144.
Police commissioner S Murugan addressed the meet and said, the police department will take appropriate action and will strengthen police force. The police will work fearlessly and miscreants will be dealt with strictly.
The police department has taken adequate measures and installed CCTVs in sensitive areas to monitor the situation. Also, full-fledged control room is in place where people can directly call to complain. If any untoward incident takes place, police officer of KSRP or RAF will reach the spot within 10 minutes along with the staff.
DC A B Ibrahim, MLA J R Lobo, MLA Mohiuddin Bava, MLC Ivan D’Souza, police commissioner S Murugan, SP Dr S D Sharanappa, ZP CEO Tulisi Maddineni, organizers of the Samajotsava and leaders and members of different organizations and communities were present during the peace meet.
