Mangaluru firing case: Judicial probe not necessary, says Basavaraj Bommai

PTI, Feb 21, 2020, 9:35 AM IST

Bengaluru: Defending police firing on anti-CAA protesters in Mangaluru on December 19, Karnataka Home Minister Basavaraja Bommai said that police had to resort to firing when protesters hurled petrol bombs, stones and attempted to barge into the police station before police fired and shot down two protesters.

Responding on the Mangaluru firing case in Vidhana Parishat on Thursday, he said the protesters attempted to barge into the gun shop and collect ammunition. At this point, the police resorted to lathi-charge, teargas, and fired in the air to disperse the protesters. However, the situation couldn’t be brought under control, he said.

‘Mangalore riots pre-planned: The Home Minister further claimed that SKSSF had organised the protest against CAA on December 19 but it was later withdrawn by the organisers on request made by police as Section 144 was imposed across the state on that day. But, SDPI’s Riaz Farangipet called for protests through social media, he alleged.

Judicial probe not necessary: The firing case took place in Kaveri issue in Bengaluru and the firing case in Mulki in Mangaluru in 2007 were handed over to the magistrate’s inquiry without any judicial probe. Similarly, the case has been handed over to the magistrate’s inquiry headed by the Udupi deputy commissioner. This way, the investigation report would be submitted to the High Court soon the Home Minister informed the assembly.

Giving the account of the action taken by the police department to disperse the protesters, Bommai added that before police fired on protesters the personnel resorted to lathi charge, detained few protesters, used tear gas and 47 rubber bullets and fired 10 rounds in air when the situation was going out of control.

He further stated over 1300 calls were made on Kasargod-Mangaluru telecom route on December 19, the day of protest. He noted that over 373 people were served notice by the police to appear before it for investigation, adding that those found guilty will be prosecuted.