Deploy central force to bring normalcy in Mangalore:Dharam Singh

Bangalore, Oct 8 (UNI) Terming the situation in the riot-torn Mangalore and other parts of Dakshina Kannada district as grave, Opposition leader in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly N Dharam Singh today called for deployment of Central force to bring normalcy.

Talking to mediapersns here, he said that the state government should seek central assistance to bring back normalcy in coastal district, which is witnessing communal violence since last five days.

alleging that the state government has failed to bring the situation to normalcy, he noted six people were killed and more than 100 people had been injured until now.

''The Chief Minister should own responsibility for his failure in maintaining law and order and quit his office,'' Mr Singh demanded.

Refuting charges that Congress workers were behind the riots in Mangalore, Mr Singh demanded the state government take action against those instigating the communal violence instead of pointing finger against others. The state government was trying to cover up its miserable failure in maintaining law and order and protect the life and property in the State, he claimed.

Replying to a question, he said that ''according to reliable information about six people were stabbed to death in Dakshina Kannada district during the communal violence.'' Mr Singh said that both Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy and Home Minister M P Prakash have failed to visit the trouble torn places in Mangalore city, the economic hub of the coastal Karnataka.

He said that a team of Congress leaders would visit the trouble-torn Dakshina Kannada district to assess the situation and appraise the Union Home Ministry.

Mr Singh criticised the state government's decision to give power to the District Administration to take decision about allowing 'Shoba Yatra' and other rituals at the controversial Bababudanagiri shrine in Chickmagalur, as demanded by the Sangh Pariwar. ''The State government has thus abdicated its responsibility in honouring the High Court verdict on the issue. The Chief Minister is giving scant respect to the secular character and succumbing to the pressure by coalition partner BJP and the Sangh Pariwar,'' he charged.

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