Karnataka: MLAs wary after attack on Tanveer Sait

HUBBALLI: The attack on former Congress minister and Narasimharaj MLA Tanveer Sait has prompted elected representatives, particularly MLAs, to take adequate precautionary measures while meeting people and attending public events.


Expressing shock over the incident, MLAs of Dharwad and other districts have said that proper precaution must be taken while dealing with public.

Some of them said the attack on Sait is a wake-up call. Sait survived a bid on his life after being attacked by a youth at a wedding ceremony in Mysuru late on Sunday night.

Prasad Abbayya, Hubballi-Dharwad East MLA, said the situation, of late, has become sensitive, volatile and even dangerous. “As elected representatives, we meet hundreds of people to hear their grievances. It is not safe now, unlike earlier,” he said, recalling the earlier days when some senior MLAs did not even have gunmen for their security. “Now, we must take police protection and need to be alert at public functions,” he said.

District minister Jagadish Shettar said police should unearth the motive behind attack on Sait. “Depending on the finding, we need to think of reviewing security to elected representatives. Generally, we will have to be cautious,” he added.

Some MLAs said apart from gunmen, they are now taking select party workers along with them.

C M Nimbannavar | Kalaghatagi MLA

The attack on Sait is unfortunate, and it sounds an alarm bell for elected representatives to be cautious. Despite being on alert, we may be targeted or face trouble. I have my gunman and others ensuring my safety when I’m out.

Anjali Nimbalkar | Khanapur MLA

Being elected representative, we must ensure security to people, and not just ourselves. Personally, I don’t want to increase my security cover . Being amidst my party workers is enough for me.