Haveri, July 16 (IANS) Lok Sabha member and former Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Thursday alleged that law and order in Haveri district has deteriorated significantly, claiming that criminals no longer fear the police or the legal system under the Congress government.

The MP from the Haveri-Gadag Lok Sabha constituency participated in a massive protest rally organised by the Bharatiya Janata Party in Haveri. BJP State President B.Y. Vijayendra, along with several other senior party leaders, was also present on the occasion.

Addressing a press conference before the rally in Haveri, Bommai said repeated representations to the district administration and senior police officials regarding rising crime had yielded no results.

“Crimes that were unheard of in Haveri district in the past are now occurring one after another. The law and order situation has completely collapsed,” he alleged.

Highlighting recent incidents, Bommai said a murder had taken place in broad daylight at around noon on a public road in Shiggaon. Referring to the Hangal gang-rape case, he alleged that the accused, after securing bail, took out a public procession “as though they had returned after winning a major battle,” which, he claimed, reflected the absence of fear of the law among criminals.

He further alleged that police arrested Bajrang Dal and Hindu activists who had staged a peaceful protest in Ranebennur demanding the closure of illegal slaughterhouses. Bommai also referred to a recent murder in Pyatihal village and claimed that incidents involving “love jihad” and killings were on the rise in the district.

“Despite such serious incidents, the government and police department have remained mute spectators. In protest against the failure of the district administration, a massive demonstration has been organised in Haveri today,” he said.

Bommai accused local police personnel of corruption and alleged that they were functioning under political pressure.

“Police officers are misusing the powers vested in them and are succumbing to pressure from political leaders. Various forms of protests will continue until people receive justice and police excesses are curbed,” he said.

The former Chief Minister also criticised the state government’s handling of irrigation projects, alleging that the Irrigation Department has remained “inactive” for the past three years despite Karnataka having over 350 lift irrigation schemes.

He claimed that adequate rainfall in the Western Ghats and water availability in rivers such as the Varada, Malaprabha, Ghataprabha and Krishna had not been effectively utilised due to administrative inefficiency.

“Even existing projects are not being maintained properly. Power bills have not been paid, leading to the suspension of several schemes, and even basic desilting of canals has not been undertaken,” he alleged.

Commenting on delays in the distribution of crop insurance verification certificates to farmers, Bommai said he had already written to the concerned authorities and would raise the issue with Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan during his visit to New Delhi on Friday.

Responding to a question regarding reports of leakage issues at the Haveri Medical College building, Bommai said he would personally visit the facility and inspect the situation.

–IANS

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