Cattle sellers should also be charged with murder
The murder of cattle trader Husenabba has taken a mysterious turn. Husenabba’s body was found in a settlement around Udupi, after he was picked up by police, after Sangh Parivar people had assaulted him for transporting cattle. Investigations have revealed he died following a gruesome blow to his head. Now what remains to be established is whether this deathly blow was rained on him by Sangh Parivar members who had assaulted him before police took him in their vehicle for further investigation, or the police harmed him while he was in their custody. Initially the police had registered a case of mysterious death after Husenabba’s body was found, stating he must have died owing to exertion or heart attack as he had escaped when Sangh Parivar members caught him red handed with the cattle. But the case was reopened owing to public pressure that expressed doubts on the conclusion reached by the police. With that, a shocking truth of police being hand in glove with the perpetrators came to light. The miscreants had assaulted Husenabba in the presence of police and put him into the official jeep. When the cops took him to police station they realized Husenabba was dead. Then the body was disposed of in a secluded area with the help of Sangh Parivar, and the police floated the theory of heart attack.
The post mortem report had to state whether Husebanna died of heart attack or as a result of assault. Now, the report says it was due to serious injury to the head that he died. Investigation needs to be carried out to see who caused the injury to him – Sangh Parivar or the police? What’s clear beyond doubt is that the police have a prominent role in the murder. Else why would they dispose the body in some remote area? The higher authorizes of police department need to be commended for having carried out an impartial investigation even when their own colleagues are involved in the crime.
The state government has handed over the case to CID since a neutral agency needs to investigate into the case that has police involvement in the crime. Now that cops have probed into the mater, and have arrested the accused, is there a need for another investigation? The reason for this is a case of Adi Udupi which had such gaping holes that the accused easily got out of it without being charged of any crime. The police could not collect evidence against anyone and produce in the court. Senior members destroyed some prominent evidence and witnesses. Everyone went scot free after this. In case of Husenabba police department has shown the gumption to level charges against its own people, without attempting to camouflage the facts. But then why did it get transferred to CID? We do not have answers yet for that. Since police department has Sangh Parivar members too within its folds, it is better for a neutral agency to investigate. Police department has provided impetus to Sangh Parivar to increase its presence in coastal Karnataka. There seems to be great understanding between fake Gaurakshaks and cops in these areas.
There is another aspect here. The man who sold the cattle has informed the Sangh Parivar members about Husenabba having bought it from him. This makes him partner in the crime. Such cases are aplenty. If the police can level charges against cattle traders or transporters, why can’t they hold cattle selling-owners equally responsible too? Else such cases would increase with no fairness in the trade. CID police have a great responsibility in terms of bringing the culprits to book in Husenabba case and repose faith of coastal Karnataka people on the law implementation agencies.
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Rajnath Singh chairs IGoM meet, urges constant vigil over West Asia crisis
New Delhi (PTI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday emphasised the need for round-the-clock monitoring of the West Asia conflict and called for a calibrated response to deal with any eventuality to ensure that national interests remain protected.
Singh made the comments while chairing a high-level meeting of the Informal Group of Ministers (IGoM) set-up to monitor the situation in West Asia.
The meeting was attended by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Power Minister Manohar Lal, Chemicals and Fertilizers Minister J P Nadda, Consumer Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi and Minister of Railways, Information and Broadcasting, Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw.
In view of the "uncertain situation", the defence minister underlined the importance of round-the-clock monitoring of the situation and the need to respond in a calibrated manner to deal with any eventuality, an official readout said.
He stressed on the need to leave no stone unturned to ensure that the people of the country face the minimum effect of the conflict, it said.
It was the second meeting of the IGoM after it was set up last month.
The IGoM was apprised of the measures being taken by the government in the wake of the ongoing West Asia conflict, Singh said on social media.
"We also deliberated upon the next steps to be taken by the government to mitigate any adverse impact arising due to the ongoing conflict," he said.
The defence ministry said in the readout said, "In the meeting, the seven empowered groups of secretaries briefed the IGoM on the steps being taken to tackle the situation."
"The IGoM was apprised about measures undertaken by the Ministry of Finance to address concerns arising due to global trade disruptions and provide relief and support to the industry, especially manufacturing, and bolster investor confidence," it said.
It listed measures including notification issued on Wednesday on full customs duty exemption on 40 critical petrochemical products till June 30.
The ministry also mentioned announcement of a special one-time relief measure for eligible units in SEZs to sell manufactured goods in Domestic Tariff Area (DTA) at concessional customs duty rates to be effective from April 1 to March 31.
It also noted another notification issued by the Department of Revenue clarifying that the provisions of GAAR (General Anti Avoidance Rules) will not be invoked in respect of investments made prior to April 1, 2017.
"These measures will reduce cost pressures on downstream sectors including textiles, packaging and pharmaceuticals, facilitate supply stability in the country and provide requisite clarity for investors contemplating investments in India," the readout said.
Defence Minister Singh appreciated the government's decision to impose a 25 per cent cap on the monthly increase in aviation turbine fuel prices for domestic operations, with effect from April 1.
This step will help protect the people from sudden increase in fares, he said.
The government has accorded highest priority to domestic LPG supply, with refinery production enhanced to fully meet consumption requirements, according to the readout.
"The IGoM was informed that there have been no reports of dry-out at LPG distributorships, and delivery of domestic LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) cylinders continues as per the normal schedule. The temporary supply concerns arose due to instances of hoarding and black marketing, which triggered panic buying in certain areas," it said.
The ministers were informed that strict enforcement action is being undertaken, with raids being carried out across multiple states and Union territories to curb hoarding and black marketing of LPG, the ministry said in the readout.
Action has also been taken against some LPG distributors who engaged in malpractices, it said.
"To support migrant labour and low-consumption households, the government is ensuring adequate availability of 5 kg free trade LPG cylinders, and since March 23, over 4.3 lakh such cylinders have been sold. Special focus is being given to states where demand is higher," it said.
The IGoM was apprised that industrial requirements dependent on commercial LPG are being met, with over 80 per cent of pre-crisis supply levels being maintained to ensure continuity of operations.
"Special meetings have been held with ministries and stakeholders of different industries to understand their demand and meet their needs. Oil PSUs are ensuring continued supply of Auto LPG across the country," the readout noted.
"However, some supply constraints are being faced by private operators due to their procurement challenges, which is why lines are being observed at PSU auto LPG pumps. Wherever the autos are dual feed and can use petrol, they are being encouraged to use petrol," it said.
