Home Ministry says Bajrang Dal involved in Karnataka communal violence

New Delhi, Sept 25 : Union Home Ministry on Thursday said that the Bajrang Dal elements were allegedly involved in communal violence in Karnataka.

Special Secretary (Internal Security) in the Home Ministry M L Kumawat said here today that there was a "sense of uneasiness" in Karnataka and the Christian community was "visibly upset and unhappy" over the recent communal violence in the State.

Kumawat, after camping in the violence-hit areas of the state for two days said, "Alleged Bajrang Dal elements were involved in vandalising churches, prayer halls and schools."

Kumawat said the two-member Central team, including Joint Secretary (Human Rights) A K Yadav, found that violent protests on September 15 following the desecration of churches in Mangalore made the cops, who were mostly fresh recruits, impatient.

He said irked by stone pelting mob, these young policemen entered the Churches, prayer halls and beaten old, women and young alike that resulted in discontentment.

Kumawat held meetings with the District Collectors and Superintendents of Police of the concerned districts as well as the State Chief Secretary and DGP. He also called on the State Home Minister and the Governor

The State asked for three companies of Rapid Action Force (RAF) which was agreed to. The State Home Minister wanted two IR battalions to be raised for which proposal from the State Government was asked for favourable consideration.

Kumawat further said that the two-member team would submit its report within a day or two.

Comprehensive guidelines on how to deal with such incidents, situations were sent by the Ministry of Home Affairs in 1997. These guidelines were reissued to all the States including Karnataka almost four months prior to the incidents.

ANI