Karnataka assures police protection to JD(S) MLA Karemma Nayak following death threats

After listening to the concerns of Devadurga MLA in the House, Speaker UT Khader promised the legislator that he would speak to the home minister to take necessary action.

She also alleged that she was being targeted by the former Devadurga MLA (referring to former minister and BJP leader K Shivanagouda Nayak) and his supporters for preventing illegal activities such, as sand mining and the liquor business.

It may be noted that she had alleged that the former BJP MLA’s brother and his supporters attacked her when she went to pay condolences to the family members of Gulbarga Electricity Supply Company Limited (GESCOM) lineman Virupaksha, who was electrocuted on 5 June.

Home Minister assures police protection

Devadurga MLA Karemma confirmed to South First that Parameshwara held detailed talks with her about the illegal activities in her segment and assured her of providing state police protection at the earliest.

She told South First: “I met the home minister at the Vidhana Soudha on Friday. He sought information about all the illegal activities happening in my assembly segment.”

She added: “I have detailed to him everything including the law and order situation and local police inaction against the illegal activities before the home minister.”

She continued: “I also brought these illegal activities to the notice of Raichur superintendent of police and deputy superintendent of police, but it went unheard. I also complained to the home minister about the local police disrespecting me in public.”

She also said: “He calmly listened to me and assured me of providing police protection, and also putting an end to illegal sand and liquor businesses and gambling.”

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‘Illegal activities rampant in Devadurga’

Making an intervention during the motion of thanks to the Governor’s address in the Assembly, Karemma alleged police inaction against the illegal activities taking place in Devadurga.

The first-time MLA also claimed, without taking any name, that a former legislator’s supporters were working against her.

Karemma said: “The people of my constituency wish for a peaceful Devadurga, but illicit liquor, matka (gambling), and illegal sand business are rampant there.”

“When I ask questions, there is no proper response from the police officials. If people themselves catch hold of those involved in gambling and other illegal activities and hand them over to police, they are fined just ₹300 and let off,” alleged the JD(S) MLA.

Stating that the people of Devadurga had elected her — a woman from a poor family — as their representative, she said: “How I would be able to bring justice to my people? Wherever I go, followers of a former MLA are troubling me.”

She added: “My brother’s son (Gangadhar Thimmareddy) is in hospital because I stopped illegal sand mining. They beat up the 21-year-old on the streets. Whom should I go to?”

The MLA continued: “People say I have power, and so I should resolve issues. But I don’t know how. So, I request (the House and the government) to give me justice and police protection.”

Karemma appealed to the Siddaramaiah government to put an end to all the illegal activities in her Assembly constituency by initiating stringent action against the wrongdoers.

The Devadurga MLA said: “Despite my complaint to the government, errant officials are still continuing in their posts.”

She added: “Some people are being used to attack me with foul language. I was even threatened that they (referring to former BJP MLA) would run me over with a lorry, but I still went ahead and did a spot inspection at night to check the illegal sand business.”

Also read: TN officer, who took on sand mafia, dies after being attacked

(With PTI inputs)