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Udupi, June 14: A special task force has been formed to prevent communal clashes based on the incidents that have taken place in the coastal area, said Home Minister Dr Parameshwar.

Speaking to media reporters today at IB at Udupi, Dr Parameshwar said that we have not done this to project any district as a communally sensitive area. I have already said that there is no need for this, Parameshwara said. Dr. Parameshwar, who was staying in Kollur on Friday evening, paid special homage to Goddess Mookambika.

The Home Minister was responding to the statement made by Udupi MLA Yashpal Suvarna opposing the inclusion of Udupi district in the Special Task Force.
I also appeal to the public to ensure that this force is not misused. If there is no communal incident, there is no need for this task force. It is for the people to decide whether it is necessary or not. If this is not needed, does it mean that communalism is completely gone? he asked with a laugh.

There is no dignity here. We had made the ANF headquarters in the Karkala area to counter the Naxals. Has ANF lowered the dignity of Udupi? Many people were killed by the Naxals. In such a situation, we started the ANF office in Udupi. The Home Minister clarified that this does not affect the dignity of the people of Udupi. Is it Udupi town was ashamed? he questions.

The Commissioner is in charge of Dakshina Kannada district. The IG will monitor three districts.
Replying to another question on the issue of caste census in the state, the Home Minister said that the Chief Minister and the Cabinet have already decided on it. Many communities and organisations have objected to the caste census as the data is inaccurate. Hence, a new survey was conducted.

The population of our community is small. Many people have raised objections that there is ten-year-old data in the caste census. It was also suggested to take into account the addition of 1.5 crore population in the last 10 years. Considering this, the government has decided to conduct a caste census again.

Realising the sentiments of the people, the high command has ordered a caste census. The caste census done scientifically by Kantharaju and Hegde will not be sidelined. The re-caste census will be done on a scientific basis. An enumeration will be done to include one and a half crore people, he said.
Some people are asking why the caste census is being done again because the Indian government is doing a census. The central government is not conducting a survey of the socially, educationally and backward classes. The central government is doing only that. The state does this both socially and educationally. A new census is being conducted to bring out statistics and study the social and educational status, he said.

When the Home Minister was asked about his visit to Kollur, he said, "It is my personal visit to Kollur Mookambika Temple. It’s not official. We have a tradition of going to the temple. I salute Mookambika mother. Why do you ask me and I do not answer regarding the temple visit”, he said