Mangaluru: Mangaluru North MLA Dr. Bharath Shetty questioned the intent of the state government recommending the withdrawal of 142 cases relating to heinous crimes in different districts in the state. He suspected that Congress was trying to create communal violence in the district for political benefits.

Speaking to the reporters at the election office on Tuesday, April 9, Bharath Shetty said, “Among the 142 cases which are recommended by the state government for withdrawal, the accused in Ulaibettu communal violence is also included. In this case, the devotees of Ayyappa were assaulted and there was an attempt to rape a woman and her daughter by a group of miscreants in the year 2014. What would be the condition of the district if such accused are released without giving any punishment?”, he questioned.

Bharath Shetty also informed that the party would appeal on the move of state government. “State government is doing this only to appease the minority community for political gain. Among the 142 cases, majority of the accused belong to minority community. Only a handful from the Hindu community have been included to project that the government had withdrawn the cases irrespective of the accused’s religion. Such hidden agenda will not work in this election and people will teach a befitting lesson to the Congress”, he said.

Leaders Ganesh Hosabettu, Sudhakar Adyar, Rohith among others were present.