K’taka police to conduct drive to identify foreign nationals staying illegally: Minister
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Thursday said he has directed the police department to conduct a statewide drive to identify Bangladeshi nationals or other foreign nationals staying illegally here.
He also said directions have been issued to identify chemical factories operating across Karnataka and to record their trade licences and activities as part of efforts to curb drug manufacturing.
"Yesterday, I issued directions to the department to conduct a statewide drive to identify Bangladeshis or other foreign nationals who are staying illegally," Parameshwara said in response to a question.
Speaking to reporters here, he said there were conflicting claims about the number of illegal Bangladeshi nationals in the state.
"Some are claiming there are 20 lakh illegal Bangladeshis. As per our records, around 370 people have been deported so far. Whatever the number may be, those staying illegally must be identified and action taken to deport them," he said.
Referring to the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) in Bengaluru, the minister said its records also did not indicate a large number of foreign nationals illegally staying in the state.
"Even otherwise, if anyone is staying here illegally, it has to be identified. Therefore, directions have been given to conduct a drive," he added.
Parameshwara said that, similarly, to curb illegal drug factories, police have been instructed to identify chemical factories within city limits, inspect them, bring them on record and monitor their activities.
"These are important directions. Officials have already begun the exercise of recording where chemical factories are located, what they manufacture and whether they possess valid trade licences. All these details are being collected," he said.
He added that instructions had also been given to conduct inspections rigorously within the Bengaluru Police Commissionerate limits.
The minister further said that CM Siddaramaiah, who also holds the finance portfolio, has begun preparations for the state budget.
"The department has prepared a presentation outlining its demands, which will be submitted to the CM. Most importantly, we want recruitments to take place, new police stations to be opened, and other requirements to be addressed," he added.
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AAP accuses Chadha of indulging in 'soft PR', dodging key issues in Parliament
New Delhi (PTI): The AAP on Friday hit back at party MP Raghav Chadha, accusing him of shying away from raising issues against the Centre in Parliament and instead engaging in "soft PR".
Delhi Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) President Saurabh Bharadwaj alleged that Chadha failed to toe the party's line on several matters in Parliament and did not join opposition walkouts on key issues.
"We all are soldiers of Arvind Kejriwal, the Centre doesn't care about soft PR or talking about samosas at airport canteens when bigger issues are at stake," Bharadwaj said in a video posted on X.
"Whenever the Opposition staged a walkout in Parliament, you (Chadha) did not participate. You did not raise issues concerning Punjab, from where you are elected, and you hid in a foreign country when former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal was arrested," he added.
AAP national media in-charge Anurag Dhanda also criticised Chadha, questioning whether someone who "fears" Prime Minister Narendra Modi can fight for the country.
"In West Bengal, the right to vote is being snatched away. When a proposal against the CEC came up in the House, you (Chadha) refused to sign it," Dhanda said on X.
"In Parliament, we get limited time to speak, and it can be used either to fight for the nation or discuss trivial matters like cheaper samosas at airport canteens," Dhanda said, adding that Chadha has been hesitant to speak on "real issues" for the last few years.
The remarks came after Chadha earlier in the day said he was "silenced, not defeated", a day after being removed as the AAP's deputy leader in Rajya Sabha.
