Bengaluru, May 14 — Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Wednesday indicated that the state's newly announced anti-communal force, initially intended for the coastal districts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi, may soon be expanded to other parts of the state experiencing communal disturbances.
The move follows the government's earlier decision to establish a special unit within the police department, modeled on the Anti-Naxal Force (ANF), to address and curb communal crimes and disturbances in sensitive regions.
Moral Policing Incidents Under New Purview
Addressing the media in Bengaluru, Parameshwara said that cases of moral policing, particularly those with communal overtones, will be handled by the anti-communal force. “If it is communal in nature or ends up in communal issues, then we will definitely entrust it to the anti-communal force,” he stated. However, incidents lacking communal dimensions will continue to be managed by the regular police.Proposal Under Government Review
The Home Minister confirmed that the Director General of Police (DGP) had submitted a proposal to constitute the force, which is now under review. “We will examine it and approve it at the government level. Initially, I had announced it for two districts, now we may extend it to any district where there are communal issues,” he noted.Parameshwara emphasized the government's intent to maintain peace and prevent further polarisation. “Polarisation is already taking place here and there. We want to ensure that all those things are put to rest,” he said.
Senior Leadership and Reallocation of ANF Personnel
The new anti-communal force will be led by a senior officer of Inspector General of Police (IGP) rank or higher. Personnel will be drawn from the Anti-Naxal Force — now being scaled down due to declining Maoist activity — and supplemented by other police officers. The unit will work in close coordination with local law enforcement to respond swiftly to communal disturbances.The initiative underscores the Karnataka government's proactive approach to tackling rising communal tensions and ensuring law and order across the state.