Udupi: Office-bearers jostle themselves during protest against sand problem
Udupi, October 22: When the lorry owners, drivers and labourers, led by Lorry Owners Association, were staging a dharna in front of the deputy commissioner’s office here on Monday against sand problem, office-bearers of the association jostled among themselves and reportedly tried to assault each other.
When hundreds of association members were staging a dharna in front of the DC office, Association leader and Sand Permit-holders Association office-bearer Uday Kumar went to the DC office to enquire licence on sand blocks. But his act has irked the agitators.
As soon as he came out of the DC office, the agitators questioned him and alleged that he was lobbying for sand permits when they were staging dharna since morning. Though Uday Kumar clarified that he has gone to the office to see the list of eligible permit holders displayed on the notice board, the agitators took him to task.
Irked by this situation, Praveen Suvarna of Lorry Owners Association tried to assault Uday Kumar by pushing him down. The police who rushed to the spot pacified the situation and took Uday Kumar inside the DC office.
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Lebanon appoints new representative for talks with Israel, rejects linkage to Iran
Beirut: Lebanon’s has moved to underline its independent position in ongoing regional developments, amid attempts to link the country to the broader conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel.
President Joseph Aoun, while announcing the appointment of former US ambassador Simon Karam as Lebanon’s representative in talks with Israel, made it clear that Karam would be the sole representative for Lebanon and that there would be no substitute.
The move comes in response to what the Lebanese officials see as efforts by Iran to tie Lebanon’s situation to the wider regional conflict. Iran had indicated that there would be no ceasefire involving the US, Israel and Iran unless it also included a ceasefire in Lebanon.
Some groups, including Hezbollah and its supporters, had expressed support for linking the situations, citing concerns that the Lebanese government has limited leverage in negotiations with Israel. Lebanon is not formally a party to the conflict, and its army is considered weak.
However, others, including Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, have opposed this approach. They view Iran’s stance as an attempt to influence Lebanon’s internal affairs and see it as undermining the country’s sovereignty.
Officials backing the government’s position say the move is aimed at reaffirming Lebanon’s sovereignty and ensuring that decisions about peace and ceasefire within the country are not dictated externally.
They also see it as a safeguard, so that any breakdown in talks between the US, Israel and Iran does not automatically lead to renewed conflict in Lebanon.
