Centre blames Karnataka Government for violence in Mangalore

Federal Minister of State for Home Sri Prakash Jaiswal has charged the JD (S)-BJP coalition in Karnataka of having failed to contain the communal clashes in Mangalore, which claimed two lives and left more than 90 people injured.

During a visit to the riot-affected areas of Mangalore along with Congress leaders from Karnataka on Monday evening, Jaiswal did not mince any words in criticizing the coalition Government of Karnataka for its failure to handle the communal situation. That the violence continued for three days even after imposition of prohibitory orders and curfew only shows that the Government had failed to control the situation and bring back normalcy, Jaiswal observed.

The Federal Minister emphasized the need for a high-level inquiry to find out the elements behind the clashes, which had led to arson, looting and damage to life and property. “Though normalcy is being restored, how can clashes and violence be allowed for so many days?”, Jaiswal wondered and directed the district administration to hold peace meetings between the leaders of the two communities.

Jaiswal, who was also accosted by angry families with complaints against the police and the local officials for reportedly failing to prevent group clashes, said he would soon submit a report to the Federal Government on the violence that rocked Mangalore.

“We are ready for even a CBI probe, provided the State Government is ready for it”, Jaiswal said.

Meanwhile, Karnataka’s Minister for Home M P Prakash, who also visited Mangalore, told reporters that the State Government would consider booking a case against the pro-Hindu organizations for giving a call for Mangalore bundh, which led to communal violence.

“So far, we have not booked any case against the organizations that called for the bundh. I discuss the matter with Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy and Deputy Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa and book cases against the organizations”, Prakash said.

Prakash even blamed the son of a Congress MLA, who incidentally belongs to the Muslim community, for playing a role in the violence.

Meanwhile, curfew was relaxed in Mangalore for twelve hours on Tuesday from 7 am to 7 pm. The Mangalore district administration has decided to continue with night curfew from 7 pm to 7 am for the next two days, according to Superintendent of Mangalore district police B Dayanand.