Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Jun 13: In a major step towards strengthening law and order in the coastal regions of Karnataka, home minister Dr G Parameshwar on Friday inaugurated the Special Action Force (SAF) — the first-of-its-kind initiative in the country. The newly formed SAF will operate across three districts namely Udupi, Shivamogga and Dakshina Kannada.
The force comprises a total of 258 personnel, structured into three companies—one each for the three districts—with 78 officials in each. The SAF will include officers of various ranks including DIGP, SP, DySP, assistant commandant, PI, RPI, PSI, SI, CHC, CPC, and APC, ensuring a robust multi-tiered response system for maintaining public order.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr G Parameshwar said the initiative will not only enhance security but also serve as a model for other states. He further stated, "During my last visit to Mangaluru, when Kuldeep Jain was the police commissioner, I had announced plans to establish an anti-communal wing. To some extent, Kuldeep Jain was able to bring the situation under control. However, the people of Dakshina Kannada have a distinct mindset and work culture, rooted in rich tradition. Yet, communal hatred is threatening the peace and harmony of the district, with the potential to spread to others. Therefore, we have decided to establish a Special Action Force to curb communal hatred and restore peace in the district."
Dr Parameshwar went on to explain, "We have formed a Special Action Force, equivalent to the Anti-Naxal Force, comprising 258 personnel. The primary responsibility of this force is to maintain peace in the district. Previously, we took a more lenient approach, attempting to foster peace and harmony. Unfortunately, certain elements did not heed these efforts, which led to the formation of the Special Action Force to address communal tensions directly.
"The public must cooperate to help maintain peace, as fewer disruptions will mean less work for the Special Action Force. Currently, the force is assigned to three districts, but we are prepared to extend it to others if necessary. Karnataka's police department is among the best when it comes to delivering justice. We have successfully solved 99% of murder cases, and the crime rate has significantly decreased. Additionally, we have set up cyber training centers at the SP office, ensuring that every constable is trained to handle cyber-related cases,” he said.
District In-charge minister Dinesh Gundu Rao added, "Communal hatred is the only dark spot in the district, undermining its peace. However, nearly 95% of the population will welcome the establishment of the Special Action Force. In the next 10–15 days, a peace meeting will be convened under the leadership of Home Minister Dr G Parameshwar."
As part of the same event, the home minister also inaugurated newly built police quarters in Mangaluru City and Beltangady, developed at a combined cost of around Rs 21 crore. The 64 quarters in Mangaluru cover a built-up area of 58,500 sq ft, while the 24 quarters in Beltangady span 10,544 sq ft.
Each unit features two bedrooms, a living room, kitchen, dining area, and a modular kitchen, aimed at providing comfortable accommodation for police personnel and their families.
The inauguration was attended by DG & IGP M A Saleem, IGP Western Range Amith Singh, Mangaluru police commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy, Dakshina Kannada SP Dr Arun Kumar, MLCs Ivan D’Souza, MLC & educationist Manjunath Bhandary, and deputy commissioner Mullai Muhilan, among other dignitaries.