Karnataka speaker Khader writes to home minister seeking probe against police officers

Mangaluru: Speaker UT Khader has sent a letter to home minister G Parameshwara seeking an inquiry against police officials in Dakshina Kannada, who allegedly failed to take action against provocative speeches.Khader stated in his letter to the home minister that the officers at present are functioning efficiently against communally provocative speeches. An inquiry needs to be conducted into the inefficiency on the part of the previous police officials with regard to provocative speeches."The hate speeches, provocative statements, and anti-social rumours being spread on social media have been causing severe impacts on peace and harmony in coastal districts. I would like to bring to your notice that previously, some of the officers in police have shown their helplessness or negligence by not initiating action against hate speeches, provocative statements, and rumours on social media. Officers at present have taken instant action against provocative speeches," Khader noted, adding that the possibilities of one or two communally-targeted killings could have been averted if the then police officers had taken appropriate action on time."Why did those police officers, who took efficient and swift action in robbery and illegal drug transportation cases, fail to act tough against provocative speeches? There is a need for an inquiry into why they were not able to act against provocative speeches," Khader stated.The speaker also mentioned that the govt should consider the issue very seriously to ensure peace and harmony in the state.It may be recalled that Khader recently questioned police for not having a uniform SOP to control the law and order situation in Dakshina Kannada district. The speaker told reporters that he would raise the issue with the home minister.