Situation in K'aka not gone to extent of demolishing houses of rioters: Parameshwara

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru/Mysuru: Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Friday said that the law and order situation in the state has not gone to the extent of Uttar Pradesh to demolishing the houses of rioters. Regarding the riots at the Udayagiri police station in Mysuru where a mob of minorities went on a rampage on February 10 night over an alleged derogatory religious post in the social media, the minister told reporters that if a situation like Uttar Pradesh arises, then the government will see to it.

The Mysuru city was tense on February 10 over a social media post. The rioters attacked police personnel and vehicles and tried to barge into the Udayagiri police station demanding that the man accused of posting a derogatory religious content on the social media be handed over to them instead of being kept in the police lockup. The mob also attacked a vehicle belonging to the Deputy Commissioner of Police. The BJP flayed the government for its inaction and termed it as the outcome of the appeasement politics. When asked why Uttar Pradesh kind of method, where bulldozers are deployed to demolish the houses of the rioters was not adopted, Parameshwara said, "We have been discussing it. If there is one way of dealing with it in Uttar Pradesh then there is a different way of handling it in Madhya Pradesh. In Uttar Pradesh their (rioters) houses are damaged.

It is their way of maintaining peace. We will see if such a situation arises in the future." "I feel that our people have not gone to that extent. We will control them within our limits," he added. Parameshwara was in Mysuru to take the stock of the situation following the riots. "I have given directions that those who pelted stones at police and injured their vehicles should not be spared. Police are identifying the culprits based on the CCTV footage and arresting them," he said. He said the government will not allow anyone to take law into their hands.

Three DySPs of Mysuru transferred

The state government has transferred three DySPs from Mysuru and has brought in three new officers vide an order issued on Friday. Mohammed Shariff Rautar, who was in Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has been transferred to City Crime Branch (CCB), Mysuru, K Rajendra, also serving in CID was transferred to Devaraja Sub-division and M Shivashankar, Assistant Director, Karnataka Police Academy (KPA), Mysuru to Traffic Subdivision of Mysuru city. This follows a transfer order issued by the Office of ADGP (Administration) Soumendu Mukherjee.

BJP leader denies RSS involvement in Udayagiri violence

Former MLA and City BJP unit chief L Nagendra on Friday asserted that Suresh, alias Panduranga who was arrested by the city police in the Udayagiri violence case on charges of posting derogatory postings, is not linked to the RSS. Speaking to media persons, he condemned Congress leaders like M Lakshmana for making a 'false' allegation that Suresh was linked to the RSS. “Suresh may have participated in RSS events and may have taken pictures along with RSS leaders but it does not mean he is an RSS activist.

I will retire from politics if Congress leader Lakshmana proves his charge of RSS involvement in the Udayagiri violence. It is wrong to drag in the RSS, an organization involved in nation building activities. Will Lakshmana also quit politics If he is unable to prove his allegations of involvement of RSS,'' he asked. Nagendra also appealed to the police and CCB to conduct a detailed investigation on those involved in posting such derogatory content and those involved in stone pelting.