Karnataka ready to tackle naxalites

Udupi, Nov 11 (UNI) Home Minister Dr V S Acharya today said the draft of Karnataka Control of Organized Crime Act (KCOCA) was ready to deal with anti-social activities such as terrorism and naxalite activities in the state.

Addressing a press conference after chairing the Karnataka Development Programme (KDP) meeting here, he said the government was taking all steps to contain the growing menace of terrorism and naxalite activities in the state. He asserted that the police have seized almost one third of the total ammunition possessed by the naxalites over the last two months.

The department was doing its work in this direction on low profile without giving much publicity, he maintained.

He added that though the state police was extremely efficient in dealing with the law and order situation, the state government should maintain close co-operation between the centre and the other states in sharing intelligence and information on the issue of organized crimes. In this direction, he himself had visited various states including Kerala and Chattisgarh to share information which was appreciated by those states, he said.

Referring to the power shortage being faced by Karnataka since November 3, the minister said earnest steps are being taken to improve the situation including procuring of 200 MW from Tannirbavi mount barged power station near Mangalore. The situation had been improved to some extent now, he stated.

He said the third and fourth unit of Varahi Hydel Power station was expected to be commissioned next month. If everything goes according to plan, the state was expected to produce an additional 11000 MW power.

He revealed that a meeting had also taken the decision to impress on the government to remove the private transport system in the district keeping in view of the interest of the public while running KSRTC buses.

To find permanent solution to the existing problems faced by the private land holders in the district, he had convened a meeting of revenue minister, the in-charge minister from Daxina Kannada Krishna J Palemar besides Deputy Commissioners presidents and CEOs of Zilla Panchayats from the two districts in Bangalore on November 14.

He said in view of the government holiday declared on November 15 on account of 'Kanaka Jayanthi' celebrations, the district administration had decided to hold day long programmes to celebrate the occasion in association with Sri Krishna Mutt and MGM College in Udupi.

He said repair works on dilapidated roads including the National Highway passing through the district, PWD roads and Zilla Panchayat roads would be taken up from tomorrow and it is expected to be completed by the second week of December.

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