The Central Muslim Committee has said that the local administration should invoke the Karnataka Control of Organised Crime Act (KCOCA), 2000 and Goonda Act against perpetrators of criminal activities which result in communal violence.
Its president K.S. Mohammed Masood told reporters here on Monday that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had at a meeting of senior police officers in Bengaluru last week suggested externing people who created communal trouble. Deputy Commissioner of Dakshina Kannada and police officers should now act on it, he said.
To a question, he said peace meetings earlier did help defuse communal tension. He exuded confidence that it would help now also.
Mr. Masood said the committee condemned attempts by those who are with communal forces from the majority and minority communities in prompting youth to hate each other.
Earlier, the committee cooperated in maintaining peace during Hindu samajotsavas in the city. Vishwesha Tirtha, seer of Pejavar Mutt in Udupi organising Iftar party was a welcome step in fostering ties between Hindus and Muslims. The committee congratulated him. He said both Ashraf Kalai and Sharath Madiwala, who were murdered in the district recently were innocents. Condemning the murder, the committee called on the government to provide compensation to their families.
Mr. Masood said the committee demanded that a peace meeting by inviting representatives of all organisations from all religions should be conducted in the city. Asked whether the committee would take an initiative he replied in negative.
He did not made it clear who should take the initiative whether police, Deputy Commissioner or district in-charge Minister.