Wednesday, Jun 4 2025 | Time 10:26 Hrs(IST)
States » SouthPosted at: Jun 2 2025 5:52PM


Karnataka setting up specialised force to tackle communal threats in coastal districts: Minister

Bengaluru, Jun 2 (UNI) Karnataka Home Minister Dr G Parameshwara on Monday said the state was moving ahead with the formation of a specialised force to deal with communal threats. The proposed Anti-Communal Force would be deployed in coastal districts, and operate on the same structural and operational model as the state’s Anti-Naxal Force (ANF).
Addressing the media here, Dr Parameshwara said the Congress government had taken the recent communal incidents in Mangaluru very seriously.
The force will be deployed in three coastal districts, widely understood to be Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, and Uttara Kannada — regions known for their history of communal flashpoints.
"Just as we created the Anti-Naxal Force to deal with left-wing extremism, we are now setting up the Anti-Communal Force to deal with communal threats," the Home Minister said. "This is not just a statement. A formal government order has already been issued, and preparation for the rollout is underway."
According to Dr Parameshwara, the new force will have a separate identity with distinct uniforms, special powers, dedicated vehicles, and field equipment.
Around 300 personnel will be inducted, including one Director Inspector General (DIG), one Superintendent of Police (SP), Deputy Superintendents (DySPs), Circle Inspectors, and other staff drawn from across the state.
"We have already finalised the structure and personnel. This will be a specialist unit, and they will undergo training at our Naxal Force Centre (NFC) in Karkala before deployment," he said.
The Minister stressed that this was not a knee-jerk reaction but a systematic policy measure to institutionalise a long-term response to communal violence. He first floated the idea during a previous visit to Mangaluru following a murder incident, and has since worked towards building a permanent mechanism.
He added that the force would operate under clear guidelines issued by the Home Department, and would be fully equipped to respond to flare-ups in a preventive as well as operational capacity.
Deployment is expected to begin within a week to ten days.
Though no official reaction has come from the BJP yet, political observers believe the move has the potential to spark debate, particularly given the comparison of communal elements to Naxals — a framing that could be seen as provocative in politically sensitive coastal districts where the BJP has a strong base.
The involvement of district-in-charge minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, who visited Mangaluru recently, has also drawn attention, with some noting the political undertones of deploying a new force in regions where ideological clashes have been frequent.
While the Congress government has defended the decision as a bold, preventive step to ensure communal harmony, political analysts say the comparison to anti-Naxal operations could open the door for charged responses, especially if any group feels unfairly targeted.
UNI BDN RN
Tags: #Karnataka setting up specialised force to tackle communal threats in coastal districts: Minister
More News

Telangana: BRS assures legal support to Telugu students facing difficulties in US

04 Jun 2025 | 12:16 AM

Hyderabad, June 3 (UNI) Assuring legal support to Telugu students facing difficulties in the US, former Telangana Minister and BRS working President K T Rama Rao (KTR) said that “students should understand American laws and the changes happening in their society.”
KTR, who interacted with students studying at the University of Texas at Dallas on Tuesday, also assured that the party would stand by Indian students in the US who are facing difficulties for various reasons.

see more..

Ex-Nilambur MLA P V Anvar's nomination rejected for by-poll; will contest as independent

03 Jun 2025 | 11:04 PM

Malappuram, June 3 (UNI) The nomination paper filed by All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) State Convener and former Nilambur MLA, PV Anvar was rejected by the Election Commission, on technical grounds during the scrutiny, on Tuesday. He is to contest as an independent.

see more..

Telangana Jagruthi to observe Maha Dharna over notices to BRS chief KCR on Kaleshwaram project

03 Jun 2025 | 10:53 PM

Hyderabad, June 3 (UNI) Telangana Jagruthi, led by its president and Bharat Rashtra Samiti (BRS) MLC K Kavitha, will hold a Maha Dharna near Indira Park here on Wednesday, in protest against the Congress government’s notices to BRS president and former CM K Chandrashekhar Rao (KCR) over the Kaleshwaram irrigation project.

see more..
Officials asked to complete Phase-1 work of ports to boost Infrastructure: CM Naidu

Officials asked to complete Phase-1 work of ports to boost Infrastructure: CM Naidu

03 Jun 2025 | 10:30 PM

Vijayawada, June 3 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has announced establishing the Andhra Pradesh Logistics Corporation soon to drive infrastructure growth across roads, ports, airports, and fishing harbours.
He also asked officials to prepare a plan for setting up heliports in agency areas to promote tourism in tribal regions.

see more..

College student kills living partner, ends life in Chennai

03 Jun 2025 | 10:00 PM

Chennai, June 3 (UNI) In a shocking incident, a 20-year-old college student allegedly murdered his girlfriend before ending his own life in the city on Tuesday.

see more..