The Hindu : Karnataka News : Probe into arson becomes a bone of contention

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Oct 18, 2004

Karnataka

Karnataka

Probe into arson becomes a bone of contention

By Our Staff Correspondent

HASSAN, OCT. 17. The statement of the Chief Minister, N. Dharam Singh, that a judicial inquiry will be ordered into the recent double murder and arson in Dyapalapura village has become a bone of contention between the coalition partners in the State Government, the Janata Dal (Secular) and the Congress, in the district.

While the Janata Dal (Secular) President and former Prime Minister, H.D. Deve Gowda, preferred an inquiry by senior police officials, the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress leaders in the district, including the MLC, S.M. Anand, and Gandsi MLA, B. Shivaram, are demanding a judicial probe.

The Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS) made a similar demand on Friday. The general secretary of KRRS, Kodihalli Chandrashekar addressing presspersons, urged the Government to order a judicial probe.

While opting for an inquiry by senior police officials, Mr. Gowda had on Friday observed that he was aware of the "futility" of a judicial probe and sought free hand for the investigative authorities in discharging their duties.

`Stick to stand'

Mr. Anand and Mr. Shivaram on Saturday urged the Chief Minister to stick to his "original" stand of holding a judicial probe, as according to them, the change in his stand would' "confuse" the people in the district.

Stating that the transfer or suspension of officials would not serve any purpose, Mr. Shivaram told presspersons that people believed only in a judicial probe. He alleged that there were attempts by some leaders to "protect" the culprits. He said that he had no faith in district police authorities.

Parrying a question on the contradictions in Mr. Gowda's stand with regard the incidents in Holenarsipur and Dyapalpura, he said that seeking a judicial probe was left to Mr. Gowda' discretion.

Mr. Gowda had sought the transfer of the Superintendent of Police during a clash between Janata Dal (Secular) and Congress workers in Holenarsipur and had threatened to stage a dharna in front of the then Chief Minister, S.M. Krishna's residence. The Superintendent of Police was later transferred. With regard to the Dyapalapura incidents, Mr. Gowda sought a police inquiry into the murders and arson.

BPL cardholders

Mr. Shivaram alleged that the Below Poverty Line (BPL) cardholders were forced to pay higher price for rice and wheat released under Public Distribution System in the district. The fair price shop owners had been charging Rs. 3.50 instead of Rs. 3, he alleged.

He accused the district authorities of violating the guidelines with regard to distribution of BPL cards in Gandsi constituency.

Loss of property

Property estimated at Rs. 1 crore had been lost during the arson in Dyapalapura on October 12, according to the Deputy Commissioner, K.H. Ashwathanarayana Gowda.

Speaking to presspersons here on Saturday, he said that 132 families had been affected in the incident and 91 houses had been damaged, according to an assessment by the Revenue Department. The Engineering Division of the zilla panchayat was making separate assessment in this regard and would submit its report shortly, he said.

Rehabilitation

On rehabilitation, he said that two temporary sheds had been erected to provide shelter to the affected families and they were being provided with breakfast, lunch and dinner. The affected people were supplied with saris, carpets, bedsheets and utensils, he added.

On the assessment of damage in neighbouring villages, he said that the Revenue Department had assessed the damage only in Dyapalapura and that it had not estimated the losses in Nittur, Soppinahalli and Haruvanahalli villages. The Department would assess the loss in these villages, he said.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Karnataka