In response to a surge in communal tensions across Karnataka’s coastal districts, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday announced the formation of a special police unit aimed at identifying and curbing anti-social elements responsible for inciting violence.
Speaking to reporters in Hanagal, the Chief Minister emphasized the urgent need for a dedicated wing to prevent such disturbances. “To detect and curb anti-social elements responsible for communal tension, one special wing is required. I will discuss with the home minister and initiate action soon,” he said.
The announcement follows a series of violent incidents in Mangaluru, beginning with the mob lynching of Ashraf, a Muslim migrant worker from Kerala. This was followed by the killing of Suhas Shetty, a rowdy-sheeter accused in the 2022 murder of Mohammed Fazil, which had also triggered communal unrest. In the aftermath, two stabbing incidents were reported, further destabilizing peace in the region.
Home Minister G Parameshwara, addressing the situation earlier, confirmed that the government will establish a specialized unit modeled on the Anti-Naxal Force (ANF). This unit will be focused specifically on Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts, with a mission to preserve communal harmony and maintain public order.
Parameshwara added that trained ANF personnel would be reassigned to the new wing, as the ANF’s operational scope is being reduced following the surrender of the last known Naxal operatives in Karnataka.
The move reflects the government’s renewed focus on restoring peace in the sensitive coastal belt, which has been a hotspot for communal flare-ups in recent years.
