Mangaluru (Karnataka) [India], May 3 : Karnataka Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao on Saturday said that the police have nabbed eight people in connection with the Suhas Shetty murder case, who was associated with Bajrang Dal and the main accused in the Mohammed Fazil murder case of 2022.
The Karnataka Minister said the state government planned to form an anti-communal task force to ensure action against those who indulge in communal activities.
"Anti-communal forces are being established here because communal politics are being misused by many people," said Gundu Rao.
Speaking to ANI, Gundu Rao said, "Police have been able to nab the culprits within a day. 8 people have been arrested. Those who were directly involved, it was a pre-planned killing, all the details will be out soon."
"Anti-communal forces are being established here because communal politics are being misused by many people. Anti-social elements, members of political parties, rowdy sheeters, members of organisations, they are all using this for their personal, private, and political gain. They are not bothered about the reputation of the district and how the people are going to suffer," said Gundu Rao.
Adding further, he said, "This has to be dealt with and tackled with a proper focus, and that's why an anti-communal task force will be established in Mangaluru to look into this specifically."
Earlier in the day, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara also informed of the arrest of eight people in the Suhas Shetty murder case and said the state government planned to form an anti-communal task force.
Addressing the media, Parameshwara said that the police have managed to deter the escalation of communal tension in the Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts, which he suggested are known for drawing the nation's attention due to incidents rooted in communal tensions.
He further stated that the lynching of Ashraf and the murder of Sushas in Mangaluru pose a challenge to communal harmony.
However, the Karnataka Home Minister assured that communal forces would not be tolerated and that the state government would be committed to maintaining peace.
He informed that an anti-communal task force would be established to monitor communal activities.
"Mangalore is a communally sensitive area. Both incidents--the mob lynching and the Suhas murder case--pose a challenge to communal harmony. We will not tolerate any kind of communal forces. Our government is committed to maintaining peace in the area. We are actively investigating these incidents. We will establish an anti-communal task force similar to our anti-Naxal force. This will be a separate wing with comprehensive authority to address communal activities and those who support them. We have instructed officers to take strict action against anyone who delivers provocative speeches or statements," Parameshwara said.
"Our government has come to a decision. We are forming an Anti-Communal Task Force in both districts to ensure such incidents do not happen again. This task force will operate separately in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts. The Anti-Communal Task Force will take strict action against those who support or promote communalism," he added.
Taking a firm stand against communalism, Parameshwara said that the anti-communal task force would take strict action against those who make provocative statements, regardless of their influence, including political leaders.
"The soon-to-be-formed Anti-Communal Task Force will investigate past communal riots. Going forward, the police will take strict action against those who make provocative statements. No matter how influential a person is, the police will take action. Even if they are political leaders, action will be taken against them," he added.
Parameshwara said that the Police commissioner has confirmed the names of eight accused arrested in the Suhas Shetty murder case. They have been identified as Abdul Safwan, Niyaz, Mohammed Musammir, Kalandar Shafi, Adil Mehroof, Nagaraj, Mohammed Rizwan, and Ranjith.