Centre to send MHA officials to K'taka to stop attacks

New Delhi, Sep 22 (UNI) The Centre, which had earlier sent directive to the Karnataka government to stop vandalisation of places of worship and attacks on the minority community in the state, has now decided to send a team of senior officials of Home Ministry to take stock of the situation in the state.

Home Minister Shivraj Patil today asked Special Secretary (Internal Security) M L Kumawat to visit Karnataka tomorrow for discussion with the state government regarding the recent violent incidents. Mr Kumawat will be accompanied by Joint Secretary (HR) A K Yadav.

The Home Ministry officers will discuss the situation with the Chief Secretary and other senior officers of the state government in Bangalore. They will also visit Mangalore and Udupi where they will hold discussion with the district officials.

Earlier, the Ministry had issued directive to the state government under section 355 of the Constitution to take immediate steps to prevent vandalisation of places of worship and attacks on the minorities.

Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta had written to the Chief Secretary of the state government asking him to take immediate steps to prevent violence and send the report to the Home Ministry.

The Chief Secretary was asked to show the advisory to the Chief Minister. The directive was significant as in case the state government defy it, the Centre could use Article 356 against the State Government.

UNI AJ SP AS1922