Mangaluru Police firing: Judicial Magistrate to issue notice to Police Commissioner Harsha PS, DCP
Mangaluru: Deputy Commissioner of Udupi, G Jagadeesha who is heading the Judicial Enquiry into the December 19, anti-CAA protest, violence and police firing incident, on Wednesday added that he will issue notices to the Mangaluru Police Commissioner, Dr. Harsha PS and Deputy Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Arunangshu Giri to appear before him in person to record their statements.
Jagadeesha was hearing witnesses from general public on Wednesday at the court hall of Assistant Commissioner at Mini Vidhan Soudha in the city. Former MCC Mayor, K Ashraf was the lone witness who appeared before Jagadeesha for deposition.
After hearing the deposition, Jagadeesha informed that he will call witnesses from the police personnel to depose before him about the incident that took place on December 19.
ACP Belliappa, who was appointed as the nodal officer informed Jagadeesha that about 176 police personnel were ready to depose into the enquiry.
Jagadeesha urged Beliappa to produce a total of 12 Police officers and constables to depose before him on February 25 and added that he will assign dates for other personnel accordingly later.
Jagadeesha then added that he will issue notice to Commissioner of Police and DCP to appear before him in person.
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Gehlot changes profile pic to 'Save Aravalli', asks Centre to reconsider definition
Jaipur (PTI): Congress leader Ashok Gehlot on Thursday urged the Centre to reconsider its definition of the Aravallis, warning that any damage to the mountain range posed a serious threat to the ecological future of north India.
Gehlot, a former Rajasthan chief minister, changed his social media profile picture in support of the nationwide 'SaveAravalli' campaign amid growing debate over mining and environmental safeguards in the Aravalli Range.
It was his symbolic protest against the new interpretation under which hills lower than 100 metres are no longer being recognised as part of the Aravalli system, he said.
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"The Aravalli cannot be judged by tape measures or height alone. It must be assessed by its ecological importance," Gehlot said, adding that the revised definition raised "a big question" over the future of north India.
Appealing to the Centre and the Supreme Court, Gehlot said the issue must be reconsidered in the interest of future generations and environmental security. He also urged citizens to participate in the campaign by changing their display pictures online to draw attention to the issue.
He said the Aravalli range functioned as a natural green wall against the expansion of the Thar desert and extreme heatwaves, protecting Delhi, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh. Opening up smaller hills and so-called gap areas for mining would allow desertification to advance rapidly, he warned.
Gehlot also flagged concerns over air pollution, saying the hills and forests of the Aravallis acted as the "lungs" of the National Capital Region by checking dust storms and absorbing pollutants.
"When pollution levels are so alarming even with the Aravalli standing, one can imagine how disastrous the situation will be without it," he said.
Highlighting the water crisis, the former chief minister said the rocky terrain of the Aravallis played a crucial role in groundwater recharge by channelising rainwater underground.
"If the hills are destroyed, drinking water shortages will intensify, wildlife will disappear and the entire ecology will be pushed into danger," he said.
Gehlot argued that, from a scientific perspective, the Aravallis was a continuous chain and that even smaller hillocks were as vital as higher peaks.
