Police are harassing people ahead of polls: UT Khader

MANGALURU: District minister UT Khader on Wednesday slammed the police for harassing people, who were earlier booked in criminal cases, ahead of upcoming polls.
Addressing the media, Khader alleged that as per the Election Commission of India, there are directions to police to keep a watch on habitual criminals, rowdysheeters and anti-social elements, to summon them to the jurisdictional police station.They are booked as a precautionary measure and bond signed by them for maintaining good behaviour. This is done to ensure free and fair elections.
“However, I have come across cases where the police have been harassing people who are booked once in their life, and never committed any crime after that for years. Some of the trials are still going on. They are being summoned to the police station and asked to run from pillar to post to get certain documents signed. This is not done. The police should only summon those who are habitual offenders and not each and every one,” pointed out Khader. Apart from it, police are also summoning people whose court cases are closed, alleged Khader.
Sandeep Patil, city police commissioner, reacting to the minister’s allegation, said that if anyone has been harassed by the police, he can approach him directly, and he will take the necessary action.
Taluks inauguration tomorrow
Minister U T Khader said the inauguration of Moodbidri and Kadaba taluks is postponed to Friday. On the occasion, the foundation stone for the mini vidhana soudha will be laid in each taluk. The proposed cost of each soudha is Rs 10 crore.
Question BSY not me: Khader
Reacting to comments by Kota Srinivas Poohary, leader of the opposition in the legislative council, against minister Khader on the recent terrorist attack in Pulwama and subsequent air strikes, Khader questioned why Kota Srinivas did not question B S Yeddyurappa for commenting on winning 22 seats in the Lok Sabha polls. “Why is Kota Srinivas criticising me? If he had the courage, he should have questioned B S Yeddyurappa for linking the air strikes to the Lok Sabha polls,” said Khader. “Any political party should not take advantage of the air strikes and the sacrifice made by our soldiers,” Khader added.
He continued to question Kota Srinivas and said in Dakshina Kannada, everyone comes to know if one load of sand is being illegally transported to other places. “How did the intelligence agencies fail to know that 350 kg of RDX was transported for a terrorist attack in highly secure Pulwama? Is it not a failure?” questioned Khader.