Fear still looms large in violence hit areas

By CT reporter
MANGALORE : The communal violence and group clashes reported from various parts of Mangalore and Bantwal taluks earlier this month, have left people so panic-stricken that they have still not come out from their fear.
In areas which are largely inhabited by minority community, it is the majority community which is in fear and vice versa. The worst sufferers are the children, women and the aged.
Today, people of many areas in the two taluks, fear to step out of their houses no sooner darkness sets in and one more reason for their fear is the reports of police atrocities.
Cops are keeping a strict vigil in various areas, more particularly sensitive areas. Complaints are now pouring in that leave apart violence, it were police atrocities that were proving a nightmare to residents of Ullal, Padil, Farangipete, Kannur, Kudroli and other areas.
Even the home minister is aware of this fact and his action against erring cops is presently awaited.
Moreover, there is also a complaint that the police atrocities was highest on the minority community itself and there are many who even complained how they were caned by the police saying "You have developed fat by consuming beef." All these aspects came to light through Home Guards who too wer pressed into service during the violence.
There are several Muslims who shed tears while saying that innocent women were attacked and valuable furnitures and appliances in the house broken courtesy police brutality.
Many even say the very sight of a police vehicle is now enough to instill fear among residents who have been victims of atrocities.
Now it is the duty of the senior police officials to visit the affected areas and people and convince them that there would be no more such incidents in the future.
Merciless action assured: In the meantime, IGP Satyanarayana Rao when contacted in this regard also admitted to have received complaints of police atrocities on innocents. He also stated that action would be inaitiated against the guilty unhesitantly if the complaints were found to be true.