The BJP is mulling over demanding President’s rule in the State if the government fails to improve the law and order situation before the Assembly elections, Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly Jagadish Shettar said.
Addressing presspersons here on Monday, Mr. Shettar said the law and order situation is at an abysmal low in the State under the Congress rule. After incidents of murders, rape, communal violence, a legislator’s son taking the law into his hands and others, the State is now witnessing an assault on the police. This is another indication of the situation turning worse by the day. “We have already brought this to the notice of the Election Commission. We want the State government to consider this issue seriously and take steps to improve it. We will also consider demanding imposing President’s rule to ensure free and fair elections if the State government fails to do its job,” he said.
High crime rate
Quoting official data, Mr. Shettar said the crime rate has gone up during 2013-2017. The safety of women remains a concern. During this period 23,686 cases of crimes against women (Section 354 of IPC) were reported in the State and 2,804 women were murdered. Of 3,833 rape cases, 541 were in Bengaluru and of 7,087 cases of chain snatching and robbery of women, 1,748 were reported in Bengaluru. Of 7,744 cases of murder, Bengaluru’s share was 1,040. During the last five years 2,67,625 incidents of different kinds of crime were reported in Bengauru alone, he said.
The government’s decision to celebrate Tipu Jayanti led to communal violence. 105 incidents of communal violence during Tipu Jayanti were reported in last two years. Similarly, 803 cases of cricket betting and 5,402 cases of assault on police and government officials were reported in the last five years. It is the first time in the history of the State that crime has increased to such a proportion. “Monday’s incident of the assault on police is one more indication of the law and order situation turning worse in the State. The government should take stern action against the culprits irrespective of their party or other affiliations,” Mr. Shettar said.
Preventive arrest
Mr. Shettar condemned the police resorting to preventive arrest of farmers and BJP leaders in Koppal on the eve of the CM’s visit. The farmers of Koppal who are agitating over the stoppage of the flow of water from Tungabhadra Left Bank Canal and the local MP have sought an audience with the CM during his scheduled visit to Koppal on Monday. However, the police resorting to preventive arrest of the leaders is condemnable. “They may also arrest us if we seek an audience with Mr. Siddaramaiah to discuss the issue of delay in releasing the pension grants to the Municipality. By using force to silence voices, the government is trying to create an emergency-like situation,” he said.