The fact that the UP government is seeking to recover the damages caused to the public property from the rioters is a welcome step and will certainly desist the anti-CAA protesters from turning violent. The UP government has already sent notices to 130 people for their alleged role in anti-CAA protests asking them to pay over Rs 50 lakhs to avoid attachment of their properties and now the Karnataka government is all set to follow the UP model.
The Karnataka government is planning on the steps to recover money from the anti-CAA protesters who caused damage to public properties in Mangaluru. On Thursday Revenue minister R Ashoka said that the Yediyurappa government would soon decide on this. A mob went on the rampage and attempted to loot arms from Mangaluru North police station, forcing cops to open fire, leaving two protesters dead. Those who were “caught” in pictures and videos hurling stones or damaging property have been served recovery notices. Hours before Ashoka made the announcement, his colleague CT Ravi and party MP Shobha Karandlaje made calibrated statements seeking punitive measures against the Mangaluru rioters by following the UP example.
It is important to note that the UP and Karnataka governments are the only state governments implementing the Supreme Court order. The SC in its October 2018 observed that the state governments must make those responsible for damage to public property liable to compensate victims and reimburse the losses.
Karnataka CM Yediyurappa earlier had also cancelled compensation for deceased protesters until due process is followed to prove whether they were rioters or peaceful. He said, “We have not decided yet to give the exgratia to the family members of those killed in the police firing because giving criminals exgratia is an unpardonable crime in itself.” Yediyurappa also brought to light how violence in Mangaluru was perpetrated in accordance with a sinister conspiracy. He said that stones were brought in an autorickshaw-trolley and dumped, and pelted on the police later on. Now, the Karnataka government would ascertain the background of those involved in arson and violence and arrest those involved in such crimes. The Yediyurappa government is therefore all set to take rioters and arsonists to task.
The Karnataka CM has set a very good precedent by not awarding compensation in a hurried manner. With this, he has brushed aside the political pressure that was being built against him. The fact remains that those who commit violence are not entitled to be given compensation, rather they are the ones who are liable to compensate for destruction to private and public property.
It is a matter of fact that widespread violence took place in Mangaluru and that too in a systematic manner. In such a situation, it would be rather absurd to award compensation without determining if the deceased were victims of violence or its perpetrators.
The Karnataka and the UP governments have shown the way in dealing with violent mobs and have rightly shown no mercy towards them. Additionally, the UP Police has also deployed drones to keep an eye on anti-social elements. While the liberals continue to spread their nefarious agenda, the UP and Karnataka governments have found the perfect way to curb the violence by seeking to recover money from those who have caused damaged to public property under the garb of anti-CAA protests.