K'taka: BSY orders crackdown on miscreants

Mangalore, Sep 16: Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa today ordered crackdown against miscreants, who were involved in the attack on the worship places in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Chikmagalur and also against anyone indulge in violence.

Speaking to reporters during his visit to this trouble-torn port city, he said his government would not allow anyone to take law in his hands.

The Chief Minister held a meeting with the top police officials including IGP and DGP R Srikumar and reviewed the situation in the city.

Police would enforce law and trouble makers would be severely dealt with, he warned.

He also asked the police not to allow a bandh call given by rightist Sri Rama Sene and strongly condemed the attacks on the worship places yesterday and today in the city.

He said he had instructed the district administration to pay compensation for repairs of damaged worship places.

Replying a query, Mr Yeddyurappa said the government had received information about forcible conversion, and publication of literature insulting the deities.

He had instructed the officials to initiate legal action against those involved.

Replying another query on claiming the responsibility by the Bajrang Dal for the attacks, he replied that suitable action would be taken without any consideration against those responsible who ever it could be. Suitable action would be taken after the inquiry into the incident was completed, he said.

He said that the situation in the city, which was marred with violence yesterday and today, was now under control and peaceful.

153 persons have been arrested so far, he said.

The Chief Minister blamed that the Congress party and some other forces in the state for making an ''all out effort'' to destabilise the BJP government, which was performing well with its welfare programme.

Home Minister V S Acharya, Port Minister Krishna J Palemar and others attended the meeting.

The CM later left for Udupi, where he held meeting with the Deputy Commissioner and other senior police officials including the SPs from Udupi and Chikmagalore.

UNI