Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara announced the immediate activation of the Anti-Communal Force (ACF), officially termed the Special Action Force, to tackle rising communal tensions in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, and Shivamogga districts.

The move follows a government order issued on Thursday, repurposing 248 personnel from the Anti-Naxal Force (ANF) to form the new unit, led by a Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP).

Speaking to reporters, Parameshwara said the ACF, structured after months of planning, will operate with robust powers to suppress communal activities and hate speech. “Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, and Shivamogga are sensitive areas. Merciless action will be taken against those inciting violence or murders,” he declared, emphasizing zero tolerance for communal disturbances.

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The force, comprising three companies stationed in the designated districts, includes a technical cell for monitoring media and social media, intelligence gathering, and surveillance to preempt hate speech and violence.

The ACF’s mandate includes creating early-warning systems, confidence-building measures, and tracking radicalization, with Zonal IGPs deploying task force officers during flare-ups.

The initiative was spurred by recent incidents, including the murders of Ashraf, Suhas Shetty, and Abdul Rahim in Dakshina Kannada, which heightened communal tensions. Parameshwara also urged community peace meetings to restore harmony, signaling a multi-pronged approach to ensure law and order in these volatile regions.

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