Mangaluru: Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy laid the foundation stone for the Police Quarters construction at Shakthi Nagar here on Friday, January 12.
The minister, while speaking to media persons informed that the quarters at Shaktinagar will house 32 flats built at an estimated cost of over Rs 7 crore. “The state government is laying emphasis on housing for the police personnel. Nearly 11,000 houses are being constructed across the state, at an estimated cost of Rs 2,250 crore, of which 2,500 houses are already occupied, 4,500 houses are in the final stages of completion and construction of another 4,000 houses will be completed in 2018,” he said adding that besides this, special focus will be given for renovation/ repair works of the existing quarters, in the forthcoming budget, and the same will be completed in a time span of 14 months.
Regarding the communal clashes which have been witnessed in the district, the home minister lauded the police officers for delivering their duty sincerely and their efforts to maintain law and order even though few organisations like right wings, PFI, SDPI were trying to disrupt the communal harmony in the society. All those accused of instigating violence have been arrested and charge-sheeted, including those in Deepak Rao and Bashir case, he said.
He stated that while 29 districts in the state continue to be peaceful, Dakshina Kannada was the only district reeling in communal tension, hinting at the involvement of few political leaders in the district who do not want peace for their own gains adding that the people would see through their games and reject them one day. Further he said that the government has no plans to ban any organisations, (PFI is being held responsible for around 11 murders and right wing 7 murders in the state) at the moment.
Responding to the recent incidents of moral policing, including the Dhanyashree case, Reddy said that the organisations involved in moral policing had got the support of the BJP earlier. However, after Congress government came into power the number of such incidents have drastically come down.
He questioned the silence of the BJP leaders in Dhanyashree case wherein the teenager committed suicide after being threatened by the moral policing goons, members of the BJP Yuva Morcha while they were otherwise quick to raise their voices on other incidents.
Recruitment of police staff personnel
Reddy said that the issue of staff shortage is being addressed and so far 1,642 PSIs and around 28,000 police constables have been appointed. Around 12,000 vacancies are pending to be fulfilled, shortlisting of candidates for which is in the final stages, he mentioned.
Mahadayi- A drama plot for BJP
Reddy criticised the BJP leaders for banking on the farmers woes and trying to capitalize on the Mahadeyi issue. Many assurances are being given by BJP leaders, few of who have even give tall speeches to resolve the issue. However it is only a drama ploy of the BJP where the show is owned by PM Modi and managed by Amit Shah. Other leaders are among the actors enacting their role in the show, he said.
Regarding a recent comment by BJP National President Amit Shah that his visit to the state was a business one, Reddy said that earlier East India Company had established its rule over the country after having come here with an intention of trade. The company then plundered our rich nation. BJP is of the view that you can gain votes by spending money, but people in the state are dignified lot and will not fall to such ploys of their leaders.
