BJP MLA watches his son beat up toll booth employee
New Delhi: A BJP lawmaker watched as his son and supporters thrashed an employee at a toll plaza in Uttar Pradesh's Mathura on Tuesday, an incident that has been caught on security cameras and reinforces that many such services remain easy bait for "VIP" bullying despite public anger and protests.
BJP legislator Pooran Prakash's son allegedly attacked the staff when a boom barrier fell on their car when it was trying to zoom through the toll on the VIP lane.
According to the toll workers, the SUV sped after another car that had just been cleared to pass. In CCTV footage, two employees are seen bringing down the barrier as the vehicle was trying to move without paying.
Mr. Prakash was sitting inside the car when his son and supporters got out and beat one of the employees.
The lawmaker, who represents Uttar Pradesh's Baldev constituency, justified the attack and blamed the toll booth staff instead.
"My security vehicles went before us, but still they dropped that stick on our car, despite seeing "vidhayak (legislator)" written on it prominently. This is nothing new; they often do such things," he was quoted as telling ANI news agency.
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Karnataka approves railway barricades in Madikeri, Nagarhole to curb human-elephant conflict
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre on Tuesday said a 7-km railway barricade has been approved for the Madikeri division and 20 km for the Nagarhole division in 2025–26 to curb human-elephant conflict in the regions.
Responding to a proposal raised by BJP MLC Suja Kushalappa during Zero Hour in the Legislative Council, he assured that work on the proposed railway barricades would begin soon.
Citing the death of a 17-year-old girl in an elephant attack on February 28 and that of a tribal woman on March 9 in the state, the minister said these deaths caused by elephant attacks were "extremely painful".
"Human life is very precious and cannot be valued in monetary terms. The Forest Department is taking all measures to prevent human-wildlife conflict."
The minister further said steps such as maintenance of elephant-proof trenches and solar-powered fencing were being undertaken, while two elephant task forces were currently in operation.
Orders have also been issued by the Chief Wildlife Warden to capture two rogue elephants.
In both cases, Rs 5 lakh compensation has already been disbursed to the families of the deceased, and the remaining Rs 15 lakh each will be provided within a week, he added.
Khandre said the government was making sincere efforts to find a permanent solution to the human–elephant conflict.
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