‘Protesters were trying to force their way into police station’: BSY justifies police action

Team Udayavani, Dec 21, 2019, 4:03 PM IST

Mangaluru: Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa on Saturday justified the police firing during the protests on Thursday claiming that the protesters were trying to force their way into the police station

Speaking to reporters here after reviewing the law and order situation in the city, the chief minister said, “No one has ‘solace’ because of the violence.

As the crowd had gathered around the building where firearms were stored and made attempts to indulge in destruction it was inevitable for police to use force. In case the crowd had managed to access the arms- we can think what could have happened,” Yediyurappa said.

Yediyurappa said that a detailed inquiry will be initiated into the police firing incident and use of tear gas shells at Highland Hospital.

“Home Minister and I will discuss on what kind of inquiry should be conducted.. and we will get the inquiry done,” he said.

Yediyurappa said he has directed the district Deputy Commissioner to announce compensation to the next of kin of those deceased within the framework of law.

“We have also discussed that if any of them don’t have house, the government can help in constructing it,” he said.

Calling for maintenance of peace, the Chief Minister said his government will not discriminate between Hindus, Muslims and Christians.

“We want everyone to co-exist peacefully as children born to the same mother. This is the expectation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas,” he said.

Udupi-Chikkamagaluru Shobha Karandlaje, who was also present at the press meet, said that the police resorted to firing as protesters were attempting to take weapons from the Bunder Police Station and use it.

“Bunder Police Station was surrounded on all four sides near it. The mob wanted to get guns from the station and use it. That’s why police have resorted to this,” she said.

She also blamed Congress MLA UT Khader for the violence that erupted in Mangaluru stating that within 24-hours of Khader’s provocative speech miscreants, with faces covered resorted to stone pelting in the city.

She also alleged that youths from Kerala came to Mangaluru to instigate violence.

“PFI and SDPI leaders wanted to do this in Mangaluru. We have to find out who has come from outside and instigated violence from outside,” she said.