'CoD capable of probing Mangalore violence'

Mangalore, Oct 16: Former Prime Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) President H D Deve Gowda today said the Corps of Detective (CoD) was capable and competitive enough to probe the recent violence in Dakshina Kannada district and would bring the culprits to book.

''I am confident in CoD, which is capable enough to bring the truth out. The decision to hand over the case to CoD was taken by the coalition Government and it is not my decision,'' he said at a press conference here after visiting four hospitals in the city to enquire about the condition of those injured in the violence.

''Till the probe is completed, I will not criticise or blame anyone and I have also asked my partymen not to pinpoint anyone,'' he added.

Mr Gowda said the Government had also asked Additional Chief Secretary Agarwal to probe administrative lapses, if any, in handling the incidents in Mangalore city and its outskirts.

About the difference of opinion between the coalition partners on the recent violence here, he said the coalition Government would function according to coalition ethics and follow the Karnataka Development Front policies.

Mr Gowda said that on behalf of his party, he had distributed Rs 1.25 lakh each to the bereaved families of the two persons killed in the violence, besides Rs 25,000 each to the seven persons seriously injured and Rs 3,000 each to 20 others who sustained minor injuries.

To a query, he said the party would take a decision on contesting the byelection to the Chamundeshwari Assembly constituency after holding a meeting of party leaders.

Terming the decision to ban gutka as wrong, he said it would have an adverse effect on beedi workers. ''I have raised my voice strongly in Parliament on the issue when the NDA Government wanted to ban gutka.''

UNI

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