Bangalore: Abduction, Murder of Students – Government Mulls Banning KFD
Daijiworld Media Network – Bangalore (SP)
Bangalore, Jun 23: It is learnt that the state government is seriously considering a proposal to ban the outfit, Karnataka Forum for Dignity (KFD), in the backdrop of the kidnapping of two students from Hunsur, and killing them after the policemen started probing the incident. The abducted students were given sleeping pills before stabbing and hanging them, after their kidnappers developed cold feet. The abductors have reportedly confessed that they wanted to share Rs 2.5 crore among themselves, and use the remaining Rs 2.5 crore of the five crore rupees ransom, for KFD activities.
Even in the past, the state government had received information and complaints about a number of untoward incidents in which the involvement of KFD was alleged. It is learnt that the home ministry is of the opinion that a ban can now be imposed on this organization, as it is proved that its members are involved with criminal activities. In all likelihood, the government will initiate steps early to include KFD in the list of banned organizations.
KFD, which is active in southern India states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, had planned to unfurl the national flag at a parallel programme in Mysore last year, but was stopped from doing so. When approached, home minister, R Ashok, said that a decision in this connection would be taken after holding discussions with the Chief Minister.
In the meanwhile, Popular Front of India state president, Illyas Tumbe, has condemned the abduction and murder of two students from Hunsur, and termed it a heinous crime. At the same time, he claimed that his organization has nothing to do with this incident, and the people arrested in connection with this incident are not activists of his organization. He insisted that KFD had been merged with Popular Front of India in 2006, and that KFD is no more in existence. Explaining about the source of financing of Popular Front activities, he said it is run with the help of monthly fees paid by its members and donations from the general public.
He has demanded initiation of stringent legal steps against criminals, irrespective of their background and allegiance. Terming the home minister’s statement that a Muslim organization had abducted the students for ransom with the aim of collecting funds for the organization as childish, he felt that an organization which is fighting for the empowerment of Muslims and backward classes, and for human rights, can never be involved with such activities for funding its activities. He said that KFD’s name has been dragged into the case, as part of a ploy of the vested interests to decimate the organization.