Chikmagaluru, Jan 7: The associations of auto, lorry and taxi owners and drivers have extended their support to the Bharat Bandh called by various labour organisations on January 8. In view of this, the normal life in the district on Tuesday and Wednesday may affect.

But in Kodagu, the chances of getting support for the bandh are bleak. The private buses would ply as usual and schools and colleges would remain open. Following the bandh call, labour organizations in Kodagu also appealed the people and various other organizations to extend their support.

But Kodagu district would stay away from the bandh and only labourers would conduct protests in three taluks. Moreover, Deputy Commissioner Srividya clarified that there would be no holiday for schools and colleges.

However, the bandh call gets good response in Chikmagaluru district. As the KSRTC labour union has extended its support to the bandh across the state, the KSRTC buses would stay away from service on Tuesday and Wednesday. But the private bus owners association has not yet taken any decision to support the bandh. The absence of KSRTC bus service would certainly hit the normal life and students.

Deputy Commissioner MK Srirangaiah on Monday announced that there would be no holiday for schools and colleges on Tuesday. But due to the absence of KSRTC bus service, the students might face the problems. All medical shops would be functioning and the private hospitals have not yet announced their decisions. Majority of the private hospitals and government hospitals, hotels would function normally.

As the associations of lorry, auto, taxi owners and drivers have extended their support to the bandh, lorries, taxis and autos would stay away from the roads. Along with them, Raita Sangha, Hasiru Sene, LIC Association, Bank Employees Associations, ASHA workers association, Anganwadi Workers Association, Transport Workers Association, Mid-day Meals Employees Association, Plantation Workers Association and other organizations have also extended their support to the bandh.

Kodagu

The bandh call given by various labour organizations against the central government got no support in the district. Private bus service would be as usual and schools and colleges would also function. DC Srividya has already clarified that there would be no holiday for schools and colleges tomorrow.

Private Bus Owners Association president Hosur Ramesh Joyappa said that the private buses would function normally. Auto Owners and Drivers Association president DH Medappa also said that the auto service would be there in the district. Even the merchants of the district have not extended their support to the bandh.

Appeal for support

Meanwhile, Labour Organisations Joint Action Committee district leader and Anganwadi Workers association leader TP Ramesh appealed the people and organizations to support the bandh call given against the central government demanding controlling price rise, job opportunities, minimum wage of Rs 18,000 as per the 7th Pay Commission, regularization of contract workers, do not privatise the public sector industries, provide social security and implement the recommendations of Dr  Swaminathan Committee report on solving the agriculture problems and farmers suicide.

Protest

A protest march would be held at Gandhi Maidan in Madikeri, near Mariyamma temple in Virajpet and Somawarpete on January 8 at 10.30 am. On January 9 at 11 am, a protest march would be taken out from Chowki Circle to Gandhi Maidan. Employees of corporate sector, BSNL, LIC, KSRTC, Plantation workers, Bank organizations, anganwadi, ASHA, mid-day meals, library, gram panchayat, hospitals, porters, farmers, farm labourers, postal organizations, construction labourers, drivers, unorganized sector workers, unemployed youths were appealed to participate in the protest, he said.

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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.