Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal (SP)
Bantwal, Jul 6: Prohibitory orders have been in force in four taluks of Dakshina Kannada district except the city commissionerate limits since the last about one and half months. There has been formidable presence of cops in all major towns. Still the situation remains volatile although on the face of it, it appears like being calm. In spite of security measures in place, murder attempt on a youth named Sharat happened at a spot where four roads meet, and where movement of vehicles and people is considerable, on Tuesday night.
This murder attempt needs to be taken into consideration with the seriousness it deserves because it happened when prohibitory orders were in place. Police department apparently had an inkling that disturbances might occur when extending the prohibitory orders. Therefore, the failure of police to avert a murder attempt incident that too in a busy locality, has come in for lot of criticism.
File photo
After the stabbing incident at Kalladka on May 26, section 144 of Criminal Procedure Code had been clamped in four taluks of the district as the police were determined to control anti social elements. The orders were extended after June 13 disturbances, till June 16. The prohibitory orders continue to be in force even now, and additional police contingents summoned from neighbouring districts have been deployed in sensitive areas.
Top police officers including additional director general of police Alok Mohan, western range inspector general of police Harishekaran, district superintendent of police Sudheer Reddy, and Chikkamagaluru superintendent of police Annamalai had camped at Kalladka, Bantwal and other places. Former superintendent of police of the district Bhushan G Borase was transferred arguably to give impetus to the issue of further strengthening law and order situation here.
The situation seemed to be limping back to normalcy, when the situation was aggravated with the said murder attempt on Sharath, owner of a laundry, when he was closing down his shop for the day at around 9.30 pm on Tuesday. He was attacked with weapons by miscreants at a spot where CCTV is present and where vehicular traffic is dense. Police presence is considerable at this spot, and the brazen attack by the miscreants who used swords and daggers for the attack has made a mockery of the police force. The incident also has given rise to suspicion in the minds of the people about the effectiveness of police intelligence network.