The Karnataka government in response to a central advisory, on Friday, ordered a judicial probe into attacks on churches and the subsequent communal violence that erupted in parts of the state.
The judicial probe will be headed by a retired high court judge, said Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa after inaugurating a development project in Ankola in Uttara Kannada district.
The Home Ministry had asked the Karnataka government through the advisory to take all possible steps to prevent the recurrence of such incidents, provide protection to members of all communities, their property and institutions and to restore a sense of security and confidence among them.
In this context, the state government had been advised to take strict action against elements indulging in violence, vandalism and to bring them to justice in a swift and effective manner.
The state government had also been asked to take necessary preventive measures including apprehension of anti-social elements and check any other activities which may lead to further untoward incidents and violence.
Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta had said that an advisory has been issued to the state government asking it to take effective measures to bring the situation under control.
Gupta said that the Karnataka situation was being closely monitored by the Home Ministry and that the state government has been told to report back to the Centre on the steps to check attacks on the churches and prayer halls.
Asked whether the Centre has decided to invoke Article 355 of the Constitution, a provision rarely used, he declined to reply. The Centre decided on Thursday to send an advisory to the state following attacks on churches and prayer halls in the BJP-ruled state.
Mangalore has been the epicentre of attacks on the churches in the state.
Karnataka Home Minister V S Acharya told PTI on Thursday night that the state government would endeavour to maintain law and order in the state and ensure safety of everyone including churches and Christians in the state.
