The police have been keeping a close watch on the activities of those suspected to cause communal trouble and are taking action to prevent them from causing tension in Mangaluru region, according to Mangaluru Police Commissioner M. Chandra Sekhar. Speaking before a 10-member Legislative Committee for Backward Class and Minority Welfare here recently, Mr. Chandra Sekhar said that the focus of the police was to address communal issues plaguing the region. As many as 40 cases related to communal clashes were registered by the police in 2014, 38 cases in 2015 and 12 in 2016. Mr. Chandra Sekhar said that from time to time, the police have been invoking preventive sections to keep “communal goondas” under check. Undertaking for good behaviour on a bond of ₹ 10,000 was taken from 955 persons in 2015, while 1,244 persons gave such an undertaking in 2016. The police have invoked Goonda Act (Karnataka Prevention of Dangerous Activities of Bootleggers, Drug Offenders, Gamblers, Goondas, Immoral Traffic Offenders and Slum-Grabbers Act) against one person in 2014, three in 2015 and 13 in 2016. A special team has been set up by the police to monitor cases related to communal clashes, especially those in which victims have suffered grievous injuries. Apart from filing charge sheet on time, the police have been monitoring proceedings in courts to ensure that all witnesses to the case appear for evidence. Mr. Chandra Sekhar suggested to the committee members that there should be provision for paying compensation to victims who suffer simple injuries during communal clashes. At present, compensation is paid to those who have suffered permanent disability and those who have sustained grievous injuries during clashes. Only a few persons could suffer grievous injuries, while a majority of victims of communal clashes are those with simple injuries. Dakshina Kannada Superintendent of Police Bhushan Gulabrao Borase said that similar steps are being taken in the entire district.
