Days after two men killed in police firing during violent anti-CAA protests here figured in an FIR, Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Wednesday said solatium will not be given to their families if the duo were found involved in the riots.
The government would not give a single rupee to their families if the investigation proved the involvement of the two in the violence during the December 19 protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act, he told reporters here.
He was replying to a question on the government's stand on the compensation in view of demands opposing it after the two were named in the FIR.
Soon after the incident, the government had announced an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh each to the families of Naushin (23) and Jalil Kudroli (49) who were killed in the police firing during the protests which also led to imposition of curfew in the coastal town for three days.
However, later some BJP leaders, including state ministers, had raised objections against disbursing compensation to the families of the deceased, pointing out that the deceased had been arraigned as accused in the case.
As per the FIR, Jaleel and Nausheen were part of the violent protest against CAA and have been named as accused No. 3 and 8 respectively.
A total of 77 people have been named in the FIR for their alleged involvement in the protests.
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"There is a general opinion that it will be inappropriate to give them compensation since there are many charges against them (those killed in the firing) and now proof is emerging that they were among those who indulged in violence," Yediyurappa said.
The protestors had violated prohibitory orders under Section 144 which was promulgated in the city and permission was denied to organisations to hold protests on December 19. As the disturbances escalated, the police was forced to open fire, he said.
Earlier, Yediyurappa, who returned from a personal visit to Kerala on Tuesday, held a series of meetings here with the officials of the Dakshina Kannada district overnight as well as on Wednesday morning regarding the violent incidents and the two deaths in the firing.
This is his second visit to the city after it was rocked by violence. Earlier, on Saturday he had met the family members of the two victims here and also held a meeting with representatives of Christian and Muslim communities, political leaders and officials as he appealed for peace.
On Wednesday Yediyurappa said: "We have not yet decided to give the ex-gratia to the family members of those killed in the police firing because giving ex-gratia to criminals is an unpardonable crime in itself.
"The government had earlier decided to give them compensation but we have now put on hold our decision and not a paisa will be given till the investigation is over," he said.
The state government has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the December 19 violence.
The Chief Minister said he has directed the police to identify the hooligans who rioted, book cases and initiate stringent action against them.
He said the violence was due to a "meticulous conspiracy" and stones pelted on police were brought in an autorickshaw-trolley and dumped.
People tried to barge into the armoury of a police station, he said adding, "We are not going to spare anybody."