Bengaluru: Women residents of Rajaghatta village, located on the outskirts of Bengaluru, have raised serious concerns over the unchecked sale of liquor in their locality, claiming it is wreaking havoc on families by pushing men into alcoholism and unemployment. The villagers, particularly women, have approached the police for immediate intervention.
The issue came to light during a Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes (SC/ST) grievance meeting conducted by the Bengaluru district police along with the ‘Mane Manege Police’ (door-to-door police service) on Sunday, as reported by The Hindu.
Lakshmamma, a resident speaking on behalf of the women in the village, highlighted to Superintendent of Police C.K. Baba that liquor shops in the area operate from as early as 6:00 a.m. and remain open until midnight or even later.
“This is posing a threat to the families, as the men get drunk early in the morning and do not go to work. Most of the families face a difficult situation due to the alcohol menace and it is pushing them into penury. Even grocery and vegetable shops have started stocking up liquor, making them accessible round the clock,” the newspaper quoted her as saying.
In response, SP Baba directed excise department officials to ensure liquor vendors strictly follow the timings prescribed in their licenses. He also instructed the jurisdictional police and excise department to conduct routine inspections to curb the illegal sale of alcohol in the region.
During the same meeting, a few students expressed distress over caste-based humiliation in schools. “We were mocked and called casteist names. The teachers and village elders are not doing anything despite being aware of this situation,” one student shared with the senior police officials.
Taking a serious view of the complaint, Baba instructed the Panchayat Development Officer and education department officials present to take immediate corrective measures to prevent such discriminatory practices, added the report.
Police officials also visited Dalit colonies, where they pasted posters displaying the names and contact numbers of police officers to be contacted for any help, aiming to reassure residents of their support.
Villagers were encouraged to work alongside law enforcement in maintaining peace and combating crime in the area.
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Bengaluru (PTI): Seeking to junk claims of power tussle in the state, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Monday asserted that he has always stood by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and will continue to do so in future as well.
He said it is the party high command which decides leadership matters and the backing of certain number of MLAs could not decide anything.
During a discussion in the Karnataka Assembly, opposition leader R Ashoka said Shivakumar often spoke about the right time.
"Shivakumar says time will give the answer. We will get relief if he discloses which time he is talking about," Ashoka said.
The BJP leader said he has heard from Shivakumar’s camp that there are at least 56 MLAs to support the deputy chief minister.
"When I asked a person from Chief Minister’s camp he said every morning these 56 people go to Shivakumar’s camp and return to the CM’s camp by the evening. Labour Minister Santosh Lad is from the same category," Ashoka claimed. He added that Shivakumar was in a dilemma over whom to trust.
Lad took exception to Ashoka's statement and rejected being the follower of a particular camp, and retorted saying that the BJP is an "expert" in bringing down governments.
Ashoka said the BJP will never topple the government and hinted that the power tussle would bring down the Congress regime in the state.
He said Shivakumar should clear the air because for the past month, his speeches, statements, and social media posts have been conveying hundreds of meaning, thereby adding confusion.
Replying, the Deputy CM said, his strength is "139 MLAs" including the chief minister.
Further, the deputy chief minister said: "Siddaramaiah is also with me 100 per cent. There is no question on it. We both are together, working to fulfill the promises made to the people of Karnataka. We are marching in that direction and will continue to do so in future as well. There should not be any confusion."
He asserted that he always stood by Siddaramaiah during crisis and will do so in future. "He (Siddaramaiah) will also stand by me,” the Deputy CM said.
On his social media post, he said: "Decisions are not taken based on the number but it is the party leadership which decides. It is applies to both yours and my party."
The BJP replaced a number of chief ministers, MLAs were also changed and a major cabinet reshuffle happened, he added.
