CM Kumaraswamy trains gun on PM for his Chhattisgarh remarks
Bengaluru, Nov 19: Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy Monday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi accusing him of misleading the country by claiming that the state government was issuing warrants and arresting farmers in debt.
The chief minister he did not expect such a comment.
"Yesterday, in his election speech in Chhattisgarh, the Prime Minister had commented that the Karnataka government issuing warrants and arresting farmers against whom debts are pending. I did not expect such a comment from the Prime Minister.
By saying this, he has misled the country," he told reporters here.
On the contrary, Kumaraswamy alleged, the Modi government was issuing warrants with the help of the central government-controlled institutions.
The Prime Minister had alleged that the Congress had made false promises to farmers during Karnataka elections, but even after a year, the promise remains unfulfilled.
"Instead, the (Karnataka) government is issuing warrants and arresting farmers against whom debts are pending," he had said.
Terming the ongoing agitation by farmers over the minimum support price (MSP) for sugarcane in the state as needless, Kumaraswamy alleged that the BJP is supporting it.
Hitting out at state BJP president B S Yeddyurappa, Kumaraswamy said he need not learn anything from the BJP leader who, as the chief minister, had ordered police firing on farmers who were protesting shortage of fertilizers in 2008.
A farmer was killed in the firing then at Haveri in North Karnataka.
Kumaraswamy said there was no need for the farmers to continue protests as he has been taking steps to alleviate their problems.
He said his father H D Deve Gowda and his family members have never taken stern action as Yeddyurappa.
"I have not asked the police to open fire at the protesting farmers as Yeddyurappa did, and shall never do it.
I have given free hand for them to protest. I shall also give them space for protest even at the state secretariat," he said.
He alleged that Yeddyurappa had not done any good for the farmers during his rule.
"Such being the case, I want to ask agitating farmers on the necessity for continuing their agitation," he said.
"If the farmers have some grievances, they can come with details and the government would take steps to pay their arrears after examination," he added.
Reacting to his controversial remarks on a woman farmer, Kumaraswamy clarified that he did not make such a comment to disrespect her.
"What I meant was, "why have you woken up to that situation now? Were you sleeping?' I would never disrespect a woman. These are not farmers who are agitating but these are sponsored protests," he said.
Kumaraswamy had said, "How can I be held responsible for some company not paying proper prices for sugarcane four years ago? What is the connection between me and this issue? Where were you sleeping four years ago?"
This sparked criticism by BJP, which slammed Kumaraswamy on its twitter handle by calling him an "opportunist" chief minister who would never respect citizens.
"Asking a woman where she was sleeping for last 4 years clearly shows the individuality of Kumaraswamy. This is beyond apologising, this is a shame & insult to women of the state," BJP tweeted.
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8 children between ages of 1 and 14 dead after mass shooting in Louisiana, police say
Shreveport(US) (AP): A gunman in Louisiana killed eight children in shootings at two different homes early Sunday in the nation's deadliest mass shooting in more than two years, police in Shreveport said.
The victims ranged in age from one to about 14 years old, said Shreveport police spokesperson Chris Bordelon. A total of 10 were shot and some of the children were related to the suspect, Bordelon said.
The gunman later died after a chase with officers who fired at the suspect, Bordelon said. The suspect stole a car while leaving the scene of the shootings and was followed by police, according to Bordelon.
Police did not release the name of the suspect but did say he was an adult male. The shootings were the result of a “domestic disturbance,” Bordelon said.
Officials said they were still gathering details at the crime scenes south of downtown Shreveport — the two homes and a third location.
“This is an extensive scene unlike anything most of us have ever seen,” he said.
It was the deadliest mass shooting in the US since eight people were killed in a Chicago suburb in January 2024, according to a database maintained by The Associated Press and USA Today in partnership with Northeastern University.
At a news conference outside the residence where one of the shootings occurred, officials appeared stunned, requesting patience and prayers from the community as they sorted through multiple crime scenes.
“I just don't know what to say, my heart is just taken aback,” Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith said. “I cannot begin to imagine how such an event could occur.”
“This is a tragic situation — maybe the worst tragic situation we've ever had,” said Tom Arceneaux, mayor of the city in northwestern Louisiana with about 180,000 residents. “It's a terrible morning.”
Louisiana State Police say their detectives have been asked by Shreveport police to investigate. In a statement, state police say no officers were harmed in the shooting that involved an officer after a police pursuit into Bossier City on Sunday morning.
State police are asking anyone with pictures, video or information to share it with state police detectives.
Louisiana Gov Jeff Landry said in a statement that he and his wife were heartbroken. “We're deeply grateful to the law enforcement officers and first responders working tirelessly on the scene,” he added.
