Pics: Abhijith N Kolpe
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (EP)

Mangaluru, Jan 23: Home minister Ramalinga Reddy on Tuesday January 23 asserted that contrary to BJP's claims, the crime rate in Karnataka has decreased over the past four years. He was in Karnire near Mulky here on a personal visit.

Union HRD minister Prakash Javadekar who was in the city coastal region earlier in the day had said that crime rate had increased under the Congress regime in the state, and had accused the government of shielding criminals.

"It would have been better if Prakash Javadekar had updated himself with information from the National Crime Records Bureau," the home minister told reporters.

Responding to the allegations, Ramalinga Reddy said that Karnataka stands tenth in crime rate in the country. "Crime rate during the BJP regime in the state was 6% while now it has come down to 5%. Crime rate is highest in Uttar Pradesh."

On the allegation that Congress was behind the call for Karnataka bandh on January 25 over Mahadayi issue, he said, "Congress is not involved in it. Farmers have fixed a date and called for the bandh."

Regarding the transfer of the district SP, he said, "SP Sudheer Kumar Reddy has been assigned additional responsibility. He would not have been transferred otherwise. As he is a sincere officer, he has been transferred to Belagavi which has 18 taluks. When elections approach, transfers take place on the recommendation of the Election Commission and it will continue. SP Ravikanthe Gowda from Belagavi is coming to this district."

Regarding Naxal menace in Shiradi Ghat, the minister said that the situation is not so serious, and that combing operation was conducted immediately after receiving information of Naxal sighting.

MLA Mohiuddin Bava and others were present.