Mangaluru, 3 May 

Former Minister V Sunil Kumar on Saturday accused the government of attempting to divert the investigation into the murder of Hindu activist Suhas Shetty by holding select meetings and misusing state machinery.

He alleged that the proposed Anti-Communal Task Force for the coastal districts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi is intended not to curb violence but to "suppress pro-Hindutva voices."

Kumar, a senior BJP leader, said that before convening a meeting with senior police officials in Mangaluru, Home Minister G Parameshwara held a separate discussion with Muslim leaders.

"At this meeting, some of the leaders reportedly banged the table and issued veiled threats to the government. Their behaviour suggests they are now attempting to ride roughshod over the administration," he alleged.

The former minister questioned whether the state Home Department was being placed “at the feet of coastal jihadist elements” and accused the minister of dancing to the tunes of those sympathetic to the Shetty's murder suspects.

"The purpose of forming an Anti-Communal Force is clear," Kumar said.