'Kalburgi, Gauri Lankesh murder cases will be taken to their logical end'
Bengaluru, Jan 2: Karnataka Home Minister MB Patil Wednesday said the state police have worked efficiently in the murder cases of noted rationalist MM Kalburgi and journalist Gauri Lankesh and would take both cases to their logical end.
Patil, who took over as home minister after the recent ministry reshuffle, said that he did not wish to go into the details concerning both cases, stating that he was yet to gather inputs on them.
"Gauri Lankesh case, we can say proudly that our SIT (Special Investigation Team) has worked efficiently and made a breakthrough.
There are instances where even the CBI has not got any breakthrough in such cases even after four, four-and-half years. They (SIT)have already filed a charge sheet. It (probe) is almost in the final stages," Patil said.
In the Kalburgi case, the CID has made good progress, he said, adding "we are satisfied with SIT and CID...the department has worked efficiently and will take both these cases to their logical end."
The Supreme Court had on December 11 last year favoured a CBI probe into the murders of Kalburgi, social activist Govind Pansare (in Maharashtra) and journalist Gauri Lankesh if there is a "common thread" in these incidents which occurred over the last five years.
The top court had asked the CBI to inform it by the first week of January whether it would like to investigate these three murder cases as it was already probing the murder of social activist Narendra Dabholkar in Maharashtra.
Karnataka police in its status report had told the top court that there appears to be an "intimate connection" between the murders of Kalburgi in 2015 and Gauri Lankesh in 2017.
Gauri Lankesh, known for her strident anti-Hindutva views, was shot dead in front of her house here on September 5, 2017.
The SIT has so far arrested 16 people for their alleged involvement in the killing, while two others are still at large.
Patil, who was briefed by home department officials, said the overall law and order situation and various issues regarding the department were discussed, as also strengthening of the police force and certain modifications to be made at the government level.
"We have taken stock of the measures being taken to bring down the crime rate... also tackling the drug mafia and traffic issues, among others," he said.
"Our department has taken steps towards deporting 113 people who are staying illegally in the state, including after visa expiry," he added.
Improving the living standard of police personnel, including housing facilities for them, would also be looked into, Patil said.
To a question on implementing the recommendations of the committee, headed by ADGP (recruitment) Raghavendra Auradkar, for a 35 per cent salary hike for policemen, Patil said he would discuss it with Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy.
"Not only their salaries and medical needs, but also educationfacilities for their children, we want to improve," he said,adding that there are also plans to start police residential schools and public schools across the state.
The committee had submitted its report on pay hike in September 2016.
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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.
