Mangaluru : Karnataka State Minorities Commission Chairperson Balkish Banu has said that the Commission has directed the district administration and police to submit a detailed report on the communal flare-ups reported in Ulaibettu and adjoining areas in the last few days.

Speaking to mediapersons here on Friday, she said that the Commission will also submit a report to the State government.

“The trouble first started over the issue of opening a concrete road for vehicular traffic in Ulaibettu. The misunderstanding should be sorted out amicably. I have spoken to the members of minorities and residents of Ulaibettu who had approached me on Thursday. I have convinced them that peace is possible only through love and harmony. Only when we move away from hatred we can we live a peaceful life in the society,” she said.

“I have asked the police to ensure that no innocents are booked in the incident. Culprits should be punished. There are deep rooted problems in the district owing to lack of trust. The authorities should take youth to confidence,” she added.

“On Ulaibettu incident, the residents and the district adminstration informed me that it was outsiders who were engaged in provocative speeches,” she said.

The Commission will conduct a workshop in every district to promote brotherhood and communal harmony.The first workshop in this regard will be held at Mysuru in the last week of January. If a taluk is thickly populated with minorities, then the workshop will be organised even in the taluks.

District-in-Charge Minister Ramanath Rai will lay foundation stone for the Maulana Azad Bhavan at Attavar on Saturday at 9 am. The Bhavan will come up on 16 cents land. The State government had announced such Bhavan in all the districts and has released Rs one crore each. The Bhavan will house the office of the Minorities Welfare Department, Karnataka State Minorities Commission, Wakf office and district information centre to provide information on all the programmes meant for the welfare of the minorities.

On Gangolli incident, she said “I have discussed with the Muslim leaders about the unfortunate events at Gangolli.

A report on the same will be submitted to the government soon. The victims of fire mishap have been given Rs 25,000 each as compensation. We are aware that it will not make up the loss. The victims have submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister to increase the compensation amount.”

To a query on encroachment of Wakf Board properties in the State, Banu said that as per the Supreme Court direction, survey is being carried out to assess the encroachment in the all the district.

The socio-economic census or caste census as it is popularly known will commence during the third week of December. She appealed to the members of the minorities to furnish all. DH