Wednesday, November 22, 2006

Panel proposes Muslim quota in police force

21 Nov, 2006 2257hrs IST Times News Network

BANGALORE: The long arm of quota has found its way to the police force in Karnataka. Just as the debate on having quota for Muslims gathers pace, the Karnataka State Minorities Commission has proposed 15% reservation for Muslims in the police force in communally sensitive areas.

In its latest report submitted to chief minister H D Kumaraswamy on November 17, 2006, the committee chairman Alhaj K S Mohammed Masood said: "In Dakshina Kannada, Mangalore and other affected areas in the coastal belt, it is recommended that at least 15% of the police force should be drawn from the Muslim community, which has been adversely targeted and affected by the riots. As a control and precautionary mechanism, it is imperative that the police force should have Muslim police also."

The Commission's report comes in the aftermath of recent communal violence in Mangalore. They recommended that in communally sensitive areas, police stations should be manned by suitable dedicated policemen drawn from minorities. "The Commission is of the view that in the offices of IGP, DSP, ACP and in sensitive police stations, some of the persons belonging to minority community should be posted as sub-inspector or at least as police constable," the report states.

It has asked the state to appoint Muslim officers in the offices of deputy commissioner, zilla panchayat, assistant commissioner, head quarters assistant to deputy commissioner in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Karwar.

To increase surveillance in sensitive areas, the Commission has suggested constitution of peace committees comprising representatives from all communities. These committees, with principal secretary (home) as the chairperson, are to be assisted by a police cell headed by a DIG rank officer.

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