Karkala:  Home Minister KJ George has defended the government move of granting compensation to the person killed in the Shringeri shoot-out, by stating that the killed person though was a criminal was not a Naxalite. The minister said the shoot-out had taken place suspecting the person to be a Naxal.

The minister said so in reply  to a query from Karkala MLA and opposition leader V Sunil Kumar in the Assembly on Friday June 27.

The Home Minister stated that the person killed in the  encounter had cases  against him under IPC Section 4,5,8,9 and  Karnataka Cattle Protection  Ordinance Column 4,8,11. Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 74 along with IMV Act in Belthangady Police station in 2011,  under Column 341,323,504,506 and IPC Section 34 in Panambur station in 2009,  under Column 143,147,148,326 along with IPC 149 in Karkala town police station in 2011,  under Column 143,147,148,332,253,307,378 along with 149 IPC 11(1)(D) and 9, Cattle  Slaughter Prevention Act Column (3), Motor Vehicles Act 11(1) (6)  in Shringeri police station.

The minister further said  Naveen Naik, the ANF cop arrested in the case has been booked under Column 41,504,295(A), 302 IPC Section on the basis of a complaint by Ummar Farooq.