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BENGALURU: Taking cue from Uttar Pradesh , now the Karnataka government is mulling over steps to recover the “cost of damage” caused to public properties from rioters during the December 19 anti-CAA demonstrations in Mangaluru that led to violent clashes between the police and protesters.

Revenue minister R Ashoka said on Thursday that the government would soon decide on this. A mob went on the rampage and attempted to loot arms from Mangaluru North police station, forcing cops to open fire, leaving two protesters dead. Uttar Pradesh is the only state to have kicked off the recovery process by sending notices to 130 people for their alleged role in anti-Citizenship Act protests, asking them to pay over Rs 50 lakh to avoid attachment of their properties.

Those who were “caught” in pictures and videos hurling stones or damaging property have been served recovery notices. Hours before Ashoka made the announcement, his colleague CT Ravi and party MP Shobha Karandlaje made calibrated statements seeking punitive measures against the Mangaluru rioters by following the UP example.

In Mangaluru, Ravi said rioters must be fined for damaging public property. He suggested booking the rioters under Goonda Act, a short hand for a draconian Karnataka law under which arrests are made. Former Congress minister UT Khader said the Karnataka government must focus on restoring peace instead of issuing such statements.

“Let the magisterial inquiry identify the culprits,” he added. On December 19, UP CM Yogi Adityanath announced recovery of properties of the alleged rioters based on a Supreme Court order of October 2018.

The court had said state governments must make those responsible for damage to public property liable to compensate victims and reimburse the losses.

