BJP accused of politicising youth's killing by ANF

Karnataka Home Minister K J George today accused the BJP of politicising the killing of a youth by Anti-Naxal Force, mistaking him for a Maoist at a checkpost near Sringeri in Chikmagalur district last week.
"The BJP, from day one after we assumed office, has been saying that the law and order situation in the state has collapsed. They are politicising the issue and I needn't respond to their remarks in the killing of the youth by ANF personnel," he told reporters here.
Karnataka BJP General Secretary C T Ravi had alleged that the Congress was indulging in vote-bank politics by portraying the victim, Kabeer, as innocent.

ANF personnel allegedly shot dead Kabeer at Tanikodu check-post on Sringeri-Karkala Road on April 19. According to police, the ANF personnel mistook him for a Maoist.
Asked whether there were any cases against Kabeer earlier for illegally transporting cattle, George said, "It has not come to my notice of the youth having been booked for illegal transportation of cattle. I cannot say anything much on it as I am awaiting CID and Magisterial inquiry into his death."
On BJP's demand that the murder case filed against the ANF personnel who had shot dead Kabeer be withdrawn, George said, "The case was not filed at my behest, but the investigating agency has done so as per existing law."

To a question, George also said he has asked the police officials, including City Police Commissioner Raghavendra Auradkar, to submit a report on cases involving private travel operators cheating Haj and Umrah pilgrims by not providing proper facilities.