K'taka Minister resigns over Muslim leader's murder

Bellary, Karnataka, Apr 2 (UNI) Karnataka Tourism Minister B Sriramulu (BJP) today tendered his resignation in protest against the ''inaction of the police'' following the murder of a Muslim leader and the ''worsening'' law and order situation in the district due to police ''negligence''.

Mr Sriramulu faxed his resignation letter to Deputy Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa and BJP State President D V Sadananda Gowda and threatened to resign his membership of the Assembly as well if the situation did not improve.

In a hurriedly convened press conference here, he alleged that the police had failed to take action against those behind the killing of Syed Mujib (40), the former Deputy Mayor of Bellary City Corporation.

The Minister and his followers staged a dharna in front of Kaul Bazaar police station, demanding suspension of police officers involved in shielding the culprits.

Mujib was brutally murdered late last night allegedly over a land dispute. Police have arrested one person in this connection.

''Mujib was an upright leader and an innocent man. Police in this district have failed to book the people behind the murder. They have been acting in a partisan manner, toeing the line of some political leaders and do not care for the instructions of elected representatives of the district and even a Minister like me. The law and order situation has worsened and the highly corrupt policemen have stooped to the lowest level in appeasing their political bosses, he thundered, accusing the Janata Dal (S) workers of being behind the murder.

Bellary Member of Parliament G Janardhana Reddy was also present at the press conference.

UNI