Communal clashes: Dakshina Kannada police taking steps to maintain order

Mangaluru: Police have initiated steps to install CCTV’s in sensitive areas in Dakshina Kannada district in the wake of recurring communal clashes, DK district Superintendent of Police K S Sharanappa said on Monday.

The latest incident was when some miscreants pelted stones at the VHP workers who were returning from Puttur after participating in the 'Virat Hindu Hridaya Sangama' on Jan 16 in which VHP international president Pravin Togadia had delivered the keynote address.

The stone-pelting incident between the two sections of people, which occurred at Karaya near here had heightened tensions and prohibitory orders had been clamped in the area. Top police officials had visited the spot and brought the situation under control and decided to install more CCTV’s at more places.

Police had identified 82 sensitive areas in the district after the Karaya incident and noticed that miscreants had been trying to disrupt peace in Puttur and Belthangadi, he said in a release.

The release said a large contingent of police personnel including an ASP, two deputy SPs five circle inspectors, 27 sub-inspectors and teams of the state reserve police and rapid action force had been entrusted with the task of patrolling the sensitive areas, especially during night.

Sharanappa said social organisations, institutions and individuals had been co-operating with the department in its attempt to maintain peace in the district. Stringent measures would be taken against anti-social elements working to disrupt peace, he said.