'Members of Hindu outfits killed 13 Muslims in last 4 yrs: Ramalinga Reddy

Countering the BJP's claims that as many as 26 RSS/BJP workers had been murdered in the last four years, Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy told the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday that only nine Hindus had died in communal incidents during the said period.

He also said that the 14 other deaths were due to various other reasons, including personal enmity or suicides. As the murders of Paresh Mesta and Santhosh were still under investigation, they could not be categorised as political murders yet, he said.

In the same period as many as 13 Muslims had been murdered by members of Hindu organisations such as Sri Ram Sena, Bajrang Dal and VHP, he added. Reddy who furnished his reply on the law and order situation, said the police were given a free hand to carry out investigations, and that they were not under duress.

Stating that the government had not discriminated against Hindus or Muslims, he said that cases registered against all innocent people, had been withdrawn.

He also said that government was mulling over amending the Karnataka Police Act to effect police transfers once in two years to help improve investigations.

Dissatisfied with Reddy's reply, the BJP trooped into the well of the House, leading to Speaker K B Koliwad adjourning the House for the day.