UDUPI:
Karnataka home minister Basavaraj Bommai
, while maintaining that the situation in riot-hit areas of DG Halli and KG Halli police station limits in Bengaluru, was completely under control, said the government as a precautionary measure had sought Centre’s assistance to deal with the fallout. As a result, the Union home ministry has decided to dispatch six companies of
Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) – three each from Hyderabad and Chennai respectively – he said.
Interacting with media persons on Wednesday before air dashing to the state capital curtailing his programmes in neighbouring Dakshina Kannada, Bommai said senior police officials would oversee deployment of CRFP companies. We have already summoned additional police force in KSRP. Services of Rapid Action Force too will be availed, he said, adding, Garuda Force is already on ground and arrival of CRPF will bolster security presence on ground.
Referring to the sequence of events that unfolded in the state capital, Bommai while condemning the goondaism and violence in areas under two police station limits, said the police resorted to firing as a last resort as rioters were relentless in their attack on the Pulikeshi Nagar Congress MLA R Akhanda Srinivas Murthy’s house, police station, indulging in arson and stone pelting on police and damage to public. Three people died in the firing, Bommai said.
Noting that 110 arrests have been made so far and more will follow, Bommai said police are going through the CCTV footage of the area since last night and have started detaining and arresting people based on evidence. This is a desperate attempt by anti-social elements to vitiate law and order at a time when major festivals are round the corner and many festivals have already been celebrated in a peaceful manner, the home minister said.
In a related development, Bommai, while interacting with media at Mangaluru International Airport, said the home department has also decided to deploy CRPF in other communally sensitive areas of the state including Mangaluru and Hubballi. "We are in constant touch with union home ministry on the CAPF deployment," he said, adding difference of opinion between SDPI and Congress over local issues could have spawned the violence.
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