Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao confirms special task force plan for Dakshina Kannada
Shivamogga: Karnataka Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao has said that the government is making necessary preparations to form a special task force in Dakshina Kannada to tackle rising communal tensions and maintain peace in the region.
Speaking to the media in Shivamogga on Tuesday, the Minister stated that the formation of a special task force had already been proposed earlier by the State Home Minister. “All arrangements are underway to set up this task force,” he said, adding that there is also a pressing need to establish an anti-communal force to combat divisive ideologies and ensure harmony in society.
“Communalism is breaking society apart. It is not possible to deploy police near every household, which is why there needs to be a strong legal and social pushback against communal forces,” Gundu Rao said. Referring to recent incidents in Dakshina Kannada, he noted that some individuals had delivered provocative speeches, and cases had already been filed against them. “Most of these hate speeches are being made by those associated with the Sangh Parivar,” he alleged.
He expressed concern over the impact such incidents are having on the region’s image. “Who will come to travel, invest, or do business in Dakshina Kannada if such events continue to happen?” he questioned, pointing out that the region risks long-term economic and social damage if communal activities are not curbed.
When asked about Bajrang Dal leader Sharan Pumpwell’s call for a bandh, Gundu Rao said those who instigate unrest will face consequences. “They hide under the cover of Hindutva and think violence is justified when someone is killed. They use Hindutva to carry out activities that are unacceptable. These elements also have links with sand smugglers and rowdy elements. This is the reality,” he remarked.
He reaffirmed that Section 144 prohibitory orders are already in force in parts of Dakshina Kannada and warned that the government will not hesitate to take stricter action in the coming days. “The government and police will act firmly. It is inevitable,” he said.
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Another North Goa nightclub sealed; Kejriwal says corruption led to fire tragedy
Panaji (PTI): As part of a crackdown against tourist establishments violating laws and safety norms in the aftermath of the Arpora fire tragedy, Goa authorities on Saturday sealed a renowned club at Vagator and revoked the fire department NOC of another club.
Cafe CO2 Goa, located on a cliff overlooking the Arabian Sea at Vagator beach in North Goa, was sealed. The move came two days after Goya Club, also in Vagator, was shut down for alleged violations of rules.
Elsewhere, campaigning for local body polls, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal said the fire incident at Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub at Arpora, which claimed 25 lives on December 6, happened because the BJP government in the state was corrupt.
An inspection of Cafe CO2 Goa by a state government-appointed team revealed that the establishment, with a seating capacity of 250, did not possess a no-objection certificate (NOC) of the Fire and Emergency Services Department. The club, which sits atop Ozrant Cliff, also did not have structural stability, the team found.
The Fire and Emergency Services on Saturday also revoked the NOC issued to Diaz Pool Club and Bar at Anjuna as the fire extinguishers installed in the establishment were found to be inadequate, said divisional fire officer Shripad Gawas.
A notice was issued to Nitin Wadhwa, the partner of the club, he said in the order.
Campaigning at Chimbel village near Panaji in support of his party's Zilla Panchayat election candidate, Aam Aadmi Party leader Kejriwal said the nightclub fire at Arpora happened because of the "corruption of the Pramod Sawant-led state government."
"Why this fire incident happened? I read in the newspapers that the nightclub had no occupancy certificate, no building licence, no excise licence, no construction licence or trade licence. The entire club was illegal but still it was going on," he said.
"How could it go on? Couldn't Pramod Sawant or anyone else see it? I was told that hafta (bribe) was being paid," the former Delhi chief minister said.
A person can not work without bribing officials in the coastal state, Kejriwal said, alleging that officers, MLAs and even ministers are accepting bribes.
