What Measures is the K'taka Government Taking to Combat Communal Violence in Mangaluru?

Mangaluru (Karnataka), June 13 (NationPress) The government of Karnataka has officially launched a Special Action Force (SAF) unit, known as the Communal Violence Control Force, in Mangaluru. This initiative aims to prevent communal strife and a series of revenge killings across the coastal regions of Karnataka and the hilly areas of Malnad, thereby maintaining law and order.

The inauguration took place on Friday at the District Police Parade Ground in Mangaluru, officiated by State Home Minister G. Parameshwara, and attended by several esteemed dignitaries and police officials.

This specialized force was established in response to alarming incidents of revenge killings, mob lynching, and multiple stabbing occurrences in the Mangaluru area, which posed significant threats to the law and order framework of this communally sensitive district.

The coastal region has faced increased tension, with these incidents jeopardizing peace throughout the state.

While inaugurating the SAF, HM Parameshwara expressed that such a unit is essential for Mangaluru, Udupi, and Shivamogga districts.

He recognized that there might be criticism regarding the formation of this task force but asserted that maintaining peace in Mangaluru would ultimately lead to harmony across the entire state.

The minister encouraged local residents to support the task force’s endeavors, indicating that if needed, this force could be expanded statewide.

The SAF has been designed to conduct swift operations in sensitive areas, comprising 248 police personnel, organized into three companies.

Present at the event were Speaker U.T. Khader, who represents the Ullal Assembly seat in Mangaluru, along with Dinesh Gundu Rao, the District In-charge Minister of Mangaluru and the Health Minister.

The Congress-led government has initiated the Communal Violence Control Force to effectively manage and mitigate communal tensions leading to ongoing revenge killings in the districts of Mangaluru, Udupi, and Shivamogga.

Additionally, personnel from the Anti-Naxal Force (ANF) will be reassigned to the SAF. According to a government order issued on May 29, out of 648 available posts in the ANF, 248 officers and staff members have been selected to form the SAF.

The order specifies: "The new SAF will comprise three companies, to be set up in Udupi, Shivamogga, and Mangaluru. Their responsibilities include establishing an Intelligence unit with a technical cell to monitor and gather information from media, social media, and intelligence sources concerning hate speech, provocative incidents, and communal activities.

"Moreover, the SAF aims to create a warning system for potential communal violence through surveillance and intelligence gathering; to engage in confidence-building outreach; and to implement strategies to identify and monitor radicalization.

The IGP of the region will take necessary measures to deploy Special Task Force officers during instances of communal unrest.