Khader’s remarks on police firing at rowdies spark encounter controversy

Mangaluru: Health and family welfare minister UT Khader sparked a controversy after remarks made during a review meeting in Mangaluru on Sunday were widely shared on social media, with critics alleging that they appeared to endorse police encounters.While reviewing law and order, Khader sought details of murders, robberies and externment orders in Mangaluru city. Referring to the tenure of former city police commissioner Sandeep Patil and the recent police firing on an accused in the Kotekar Vyavasaya Seva Sahakari Sangha bank heist, he spoke about the deterrent effect such action had on habitual offenders.“Back then, when Sandeep Patil was here, they used to shoot at them.

Maybe this is outside the law, we can understand that. But when four or five such incidents happened, I was the district in charge minister. If anyone engaged in excessive rowdyism and robbery, they would shoot at their legs or hands. You wouldn’t believe it, all the rowdies would arrive with their mothers, wives or those they were about to marry, requesting me to recommend to the commissioner that they had given up rowdyism.

There was that kind of fear. We need the law, but along with it, we also need a little extra fear. I understand that, under certain laws, it’s not possible to say this openly,” Khader said.His remarks drew criticism from CPM district secretary Muneer Katipalla, who said elected representatives must uphold the Constitution and ensure law enforcement agencies function within the legal framework. “Minister Khader’s instruction to conduct fake encounters or shoot at the legs is contrary to the Constitution and the law of the land. There needs to be a widespread debate on this, and the govt must provide a clarification,” Katipalla said.