ECBantwal : State Deputy Chief Minister R Ashok inaugurated the  new buildings of Punjalakatte and Bantwal police stations on October 22, Monday. The buildings have been constructed at a cost of Rs 56 lakh each.

Speaking on the occasion, he said a State Industrial Security Force has been formed to protect dams, power plants and the IT sector. He also said that the government gave more importance to ensure security in the 300 km long coastal line.

Ashok later speaking to reporters said he had met the family members of Sowjanya who was murdered near Pangala in Dharmasthala  recently and added  the government was ready to hand over the case to the CoD. He said he would also discuss the issue with Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari D Veerendra Heggade.

He said the proposal for a police station in Dharmasthala is already before the government and a decision would soon be taken.

Mangalore Police Commissioner Manish Kharbikar, IGP (western range) Pratap Reddy, MLA Ramanatha Rai, District BJP President Padmanabha Kottari and others were present.