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ShareCommunal violence has taken three innocent lives in Mysore. The threat of incited passions spreading to more areas forced leader of the opposition Siddaramaiah, representative of the Varuna constituency in Mysore, to rush back cutting short his visit to Bellary. Expressing his concern regarding the communal tension in Mysore, Siddaramaiah spoke to Hemanth Kumar on the issue.
Mysore seems to be turning into a communal hot spot of late. Why is it so?
It is really unfortunate that a city known for its rich art, tradition and communal harmony is now in the news for communal violence. The latest incident could have been prevented if the police had acted a bit responsibly
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How could it have been prevented?
The same area had witnessed communal violence the day after Ugadi festival three months ago. The mutual suspicion and animosity among the members of the two communities was still simmering. In such a situation, the local police should have continued their vigil in the area. It is the failure of the police and the intelligence that led to another communal fight. The frequent transfer of police personnel has induced a sense of insecurity among them. Three innocent lives have been lost due to the irresponsibility of the state government.
Is the state government doing enough to crush communal forces?
Communal violence keeps occurring in the state. VS Acharya is the weakest home minister the state has seen. But for me this is not the time to indulge in political mud-slinging. The state government should first provide liberal compensation for the families of the victims. Action should be taken against police and intelligence failure.
Your comments on the state government's orders asking officers not to participate in meetings convened by opposition leaders.
It is an insult to democratic principles. In parliamentary democracy, leader of the opposition has the status of a cabinet minister. He enjoys the same privileges as the chief minister. I am not giving any executive orders to the officers. I am only touring the state to see the progress in several welfare programmes announced in the budget.I am mulling about moving a privilege motion against the government which is trying to obstruct me from discharging my duties as the leader of the opposition.
Considering the animosity between you and JD(S) supremo HD Deve Gowda how will you ensure floor co-ordination with HD Revanna in the assembly?
Bitter politics will be left outside the House. I have excellent relations with Revanna and both Congress and JD(S) are driven by a common cause of fighting against the misrule of the BJP government.
