Silvester D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (RJP)
Kundapur, Dec 8: R Roshan Baig, the information and infrastructure development minister of Karnataka government on Sunday December 7 requested the Gangolli residents not to listen to people who have the mentality and habit of spreading wrong information to create communal unrest in the area. He asked them to maintain peace.
Baig was speaking to media persons after his meeting with Muslim leaders at the tourist bungalow of the forest department, where he had stopped on his way to Bhatkal.
“The messages are sent using mobile phones and social media. This social evil is a threat to the communal harmony of the land. We have already spoken to the central government regarding this evil. I will talk to Arun Jaitley, the central minister about the controlled use of these facilities,” Roshan Baig said.
The delegation of Muslim leaders who met the minister included Naqwa Yahya Malpe, the president of Udupi Wakf committee, A K Saheb, the president of Kundapur taluk Wakf committee, G M Irshad, the president of Jamath-e-Muslimeen from Gangolli and its secretary H Abdulla, Taufeek Gangolli from Udupi district APCR and the priest Ubedulla Abubakar Nadvi. The delegation briefed the minister about the recent developments in Gangolli.
The delegation told the minister that the religious harmony maintained for centuries has been disturbed. "The investigations have been hampered by pressure tactics. The investigation has to focus on scientific reports without any outside influence. The culprit should be punished without any fear and favour. The persons affected by the fire should be consoled instead of being subjected to more mental harassment," they urged.
The minister who listened to the delegation asked the leaders to help maintain peace. He requested them to tell the youth not to listen to rumours. He promised that the compensation package to the victims and the measures to maintain peace will be discussed with the chief minister, home minister and district incharge minister.
Baig told the delegation that if they come to Belagavi during the winter session, they will be given audience with the authorities concerned to find a solution for their demands.
Assistant commissioner Charulatha Somal, Tahasildar Gayathri Nayak and circle inspector Divakar P M were present during the interaction of the minister with the press.