The situation in Mangalore, which has been simmering due to communal tension for the past two days, is fast returning to normal, Karnataka Home Minister Dr V S Acharya told rediff.com on Tuesday.
"I will not leave Mangalore until the entire situation is under control," said Dr Acharya.
The home minister also claimed that the situation in most of the violence-hit areas was improving. "The state machinery is doing its bit and we will ensure that life and property is protected," he said.
Peace prevails in riot-hit Mangalore, for now
Dr Acharya, however, refused to be drawn into a blame game by commenting on the forces responsible for the communal violence. "I am busy assessing the situation and I am confident that the government can handle it," he said.
However, he sounded a warning against all those miscreants who are out to make trouble.
When questioned as to what action would be taken against the miscreants and those involved in religious conversions, Acharya stated that the state government was looking into the issue.
Protest rally turns violent in Mangalore
"The culprits will not be spared and action will be taken against them," he asserted.
Incidentally, Dr Acharya has posted some interesting comments about the Mangalore violence on his blog.
A photo feature on his blog starts off with a question, "Attacking a fellow human being. Which religion justifies it? Police attacked... Public property looted... Police vehicles vandalised... What would you do, if you were in a police uniform...in this situation?"
Church attacks: Mangalore in turmoil
Dr Acharya has also put up a photograph which shows stones being stored at a Christian cemetery. The minister asks, "Why do you need stones in the cemetery? Don't they spare those who are resting in peace?"
