Congress govt creating 'mini Bangladesh' in Karnataka, says BJP leader Ashoka
Bengaluru (PTI): Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly R Ashoka on Wednesday accused the Congress government of creating 'mini Bangladesh' in the state due to its appeasement politics.
Launching a scathing attack on the Congress government after visiting the eviction site at Kogilu layout in Yelahanka, Ashoka alleged that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was encouraging large-scale encroachment and illegal settlements.
The Congress government came under severe criticism from Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) for demolishing houses for the minorities. Alarmed by it, the Congress high command too intervened and directed the state government to be compassionate to the minorities.
The state government has announced that it will provide alternative housing arrangements for those genuine residents among them. The BJP flayed the government for taking a U-turn on the issue, saying that this was 'appeasement politics'.
Speaking to reporters during his visit to the demolition spot, Ashoka said the state was witnessing an alarming trend after the change in government and questioned the identity and origin of those residing on encroached government land.
The BJP leader pointed out that Google Maps showed no houses in the area a year ago, indicating that the settlements had come up only in the last six months, and questioned how electricity connections were provided so quickly.
Ashoka said, "The Congress government led by Siddaramaiah is creating mini Bangladeshs in Karnataka. After fooling Kannadigas for so long, they are now building a mini Bangladesh in the state."
He said nearly four lakh people in Karnataka were living without electricity as their houses were deemed unauthorised, while residents of the Kogilu slum had been provided high-end cable electricity connections.
“When taxpayers of this state are living without power, how are these people getting expensive cable connections? Are they relatives of Siddaramaiah?” he asked.
Ashoka claimed the residents were said to have come from Penukonda in Andhra Pradesh and questioned contradictory claims about their age and duration of stay. Calling the land prime property worth nearly Rs 600 crore, Ashoka asked under which law the government proposed to allot it. He also accused the government of neglecting flood victims and the education sector.
“Around 13,000 houses were damaged in floods, and farmers are still without shelter. Roof sheets of 2,400 schools have flown away and classes are being held under trees, but here flats are being allotted within two days,” he alleged.
Ashoka further alleged that such settlements would turn into crime hubs and accused the government of favouring 'Bangladeshis' in the name of rehabilitation. “What are you giving Kannadigas? Are you giving them shells?” he asked, adding that the government was “gifting houses to Bangladeshis for the New Year.”
Meanwhile, Legislative Council Opposition Leader Chalavadi Narayanaswamy demanded that the case be handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for verification of original records.
He alleged that ministers themselves had shifted people from the site and questioned the government’s sudden “U-turn” after developments in neighbouring states. He pointed out that 38 lakh people were waiting for houses across the state and demanded to know why those evicted elsewhere were not rehabilitated.
Former Deputy Chief Minister and BJP MLA C N Ashwath Narayan warned that the issue posed a threat to the security of the country, the state and Bengaluru.
He accused the government of attempting to 'cover up' by claiming the residents were not Bangladeshis and demanded that illegal immigrants be identified and deported. He alleged that people had entered through multiple states and accused the government of compromising security for political power.
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MP HC sets up judicial commission to probe water contamination in Indore
Indore (PTI): The Indore bench of Madhya Pradesh High Court on Tuesday set up a commission of inquiry comprising a former HC judge to probe the issue of water contamination in city's Bhagirathpura, saying the matter requires probe by an independent, credible authority and "urgent judicial scrutiny".
It also directed the commission to submit an interim report after four weeks from the date of commencement of proceedings.
A division bench of Justices Vijay Kumar Shukla and Alok Awasthi constituted the commission while hearing several public interest litigations (PILs) filed simultaneously regarding the deaths of several people in Bhagirathpura due to the consumption of contaminated water.
The HC reserved the order after hearing all the parties during the day, and released it late at night.
The state government on Tuesday told the HC that the deaths of 16 people in Indore's Bhagirathpura area was possibly linked to a month-long outbreak of vomiting and diarrhoea caused by contaminated drinking water.
The government presented an audit report of 23 deaths from the current gastroenteritis epidemic in Bhagirathpura before the bench, suggesting that 16 of these fatalities may have been linked to the outbreak of vomiting and diarrhoea caused by contaminated drinking water.
The report, prepared by a committee of five experts from the city's Government Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College, stated that the deaths of four people in Bhagirathpura were unrelated to the outbreak, while no conclusion could be reached regarding the cause of death of three other people in the area.
During the hearing, the high court sought to know from the state government the scientific basis behind its report.
The division bench also expressed surprise at the state government's use of the term "verbal autopsy" in relation to the report, sarcastically stating that it had heard the term for the first time.
The HC expressed concern over the Bhagirathpura case, stating that the situation was "alarming," and noted that cases of people falling ill due to contaminated drinking water have also been reported in Mhow, near Indore.
In its order, the HC said the serious issue concerning contamination of the drinking water supply in Bhagirathpura area allegedly resulted in widespread health hazards to residents, including children and elderly persons.
According to the petitioners and media reports, death toll is about 30 till today, but the report depicts only 16 without any basis or record, it said.
It is averred that sewage mixing, leakage in the pipeline, and failure of civic authorities to maintain potable water standards have led to the outbreak of water-borne diseases. Photographs, medical reports, and complaints submitted to the authorities prima facie indicate a matter requiring urgent judicial scrutiny, the HC said.
"Considering the gravity of the allegation and affecting the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution of India and the need for an independent fact-finding exercise, the Court is of the opinion that the matter requires investigation by an independent, credible authority," it said.
"Accordingly, we appoint Justice Sushil Kumar Gupta, former judge of the Madhya Pradesh High Court, a one-man commission of inquiry into the issues relating to water contamination in Bhagirathpura, Indore, and its impact on other areas of the city," the HC added.
As per the order, the commission shall inquire into and submit a report on the cause of contamination -- whether the drinking water supplied to Bhagirathpura was contaminated; and the source and nature of contamination (sewage ingress, industrial discharge, pipeline damage etc).
The panel will also probe the number of actual deaths of affected residents on account of contaminated water; find out the nature of disease reported and adequacy of medical response and preventive measures; suggest immediate steps required to ensure safe drinking water as well as long-term infrastructural and monitoring reforms.
It will also identify and fix responsibility upon the officers and officials found prima facie responsible for the Bhagirathpura water contamination incident, and suggest guidelines for compensation to affected residents, particularly vulnerable sections.
The commission shall have powers of a civil court for the purpose of summoning officials and witnesses; calling up records from the government department, hospitals, laboratories and civic bodies; ordering water quality testing through accredited laboratories; conducting spot inspections.
All state authorities involving district administration, Indore Municipal Corporation, public health engineering department and Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board shall extend full co-operation and provide records as sought by the commission, it said.
The state government shall provide office space, staff, and logistical support to the commission, it said.
During the hearing in the day, the state government also presented a status report to the court in this matter.
According to reports, a total of 454 patients were admitted to local hospitals during the vomiting and diarrhea outbreak, of whom 441 have been discharged after treatment, and 11 are currently hospitalised.
According to officials, due to a leak in the municipal drinking water pipeline in Bhagirathpura, sewage from a toilet was also mixed in the water.
