Anti-CAA Protests: CM Yediyurappa Withdraws Rs 10 Lakh Exgratia To Kin Of People Killed In Mangaluru

Karnataka government on Wednesday decided to take back its decision to give the exgratia amount of Rs 10 lakh each to the family of two people killed in the police firing during anti-CAA protests in Mangaluru. After the death of two people on December 19, the state government had announced the exgratia amount to the next of kin of those killed in the firing.

However, on Wednesday, Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa said that the government had withdrawn the compensation because the dead were among the accused in the violence. He said that a final decision will be taken once the probe was complete.

He said, "We have taken a decision. Since there are cases are against them and it has been proven that they are amongst those accused . In light of this, we are of the opinion that it would be inappropriate to hand out compensation right now. The final decision will be taken after Enquiry is over."

"We have not decided yet to give the exgratia to the family members of those killed in the police firing because giving criminals exgratia is an unpardonable crime in itself," Yediyurappa told reporters after a marathon meeting with the senior officials of the Dakshina Kannada district.

The Chief Minister returned from Kerala on Tuesday night and held a series of meetings with the officials in the night as well as in the morning. He said he has directed the police to identify the hooligans who rioted on December 19, book cases against them and initiate stringent action.

"It is now clear that it (Mangaluru riot) was a conspiracy. People tried to barge into the armoury of the police station. We are not going to spare anybody," Yediyurappa said.

Noting that the violence was a meticulous conspiracy, the Chief Minister said stones hurled at police were brought in an autorickshaw-trolley and dumped.

The government would ascertain the background of those involved in arson and violence and arrest all those involved in the crime, he added.

Slamming the opposition for making 'baseless' charges against his government, Yediyurappa said, "When brain does not function properly the opposition members talk like that."