Mangaluru: DK District in-charge Minister B Ramanatha Rai has appealed to the people not to pay heed to any rumours aimed at disrupting communal harmony in the district. Addressing press persons on Tuesday, Rai said he has been constantly working for the development of the district since the past several years.

Referring to the recent untoward incidents in Bantwal, particularly in Kalladka, Rai said that the Sangh Parivar which could not digest communal harmony and was creating disturbances.

On the viral video wherein he is seen instructing the then SP Bhushan G Borase to arrest Kalladka Prabhaker Bhat, Rai said as he was deeply disturbed by the violence, he had summoned the SP and had asked him to take action against those delivering hate speeches. Rai refuted the Sangh Parivar allegation that he was playing vote bank politics to appease minority community, and said his only intention was development of the district. Stating that he has received a number of threats, the minister declared that he did not fear threats.

JR Lobo, MLA, Mithun Rai, District Youth Congress Chief, Ibrahim Kodijal, Interim President of Youth Congress and others were present.