Home Department directed to be vigilant regarding foreigners overstaying in Karnataka

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah 
| Photo Credit: BADIGER P.K.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that instructions have been issued to the Home Department to be vigilant regarding foreign nationals overstaying in Karnataka.

Mr. Siddaramaiah was speaking to mediapersons at MM Hills in Chamarajanagar district where he will chair a cabinet meeting and take part in a slew of other programmes.

The Chief Minister said, “As far as terrorists are concerned, the State Government will extend all support to the Centre to crush terrorism. Eliminating terrorists, regardless of the State they are in, is the responsibility of the Central Government.”

Referring to the Pahalgam terror attack, Mr. Siddaramaiah said it was highly condemnable and inhumane. “Security should have been stepped up after the Pulwama attack. The attack is a pointer to intelligence failure,” the Chief Minister said.

Initiating counter measures after an incident was different from taking preventive measures, and the Centre should have done it, said Mr. Siddaramaiah.

‘’In the Pulwama attack, 40 soldiers lost their lives. In the Pahalgam terror attack, 28 civilians have died. Preventive steps should have been taken. Such incidents should not be allowed to recur, and caution is necessary. Regardless of their religion, all terrorists must be eliminated. The government will provide all necessary cooperation and support for this,” said Mr. Siddaramaiah.

A compensation of ₹10 lakh each was being given to the families of persons from Karnataka who were killed in the terrorist attack. Instructions have been issued to the authorities concerned that the funerals should be conducted with police honours, he added.

On the  Mekedatu project, Mr. Siddaramaiah said the State is ready to take up the work provided the Centre gave its approval.

‘’Despite meeting the Prime Minister and Home Minister multiple times, no action has been taken. What is more, the Centre has not released the funds for projects announced by it in the budget,” said Mr. Siddaramaiah, referring to ₹5,300 crore, which was announced for the Upper Bhadra Project in the 2023-24 Union Budget. ‘’So far, no funds have been released,” he added.