Increase in martyrdom of soldiers raises questions on govt's ability to maintain security: Rahul
New Delhi, Jan 6: Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Monday condoled the death of soldiers in a Naxal attack in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district and said the increased attacks raise serious questions about the government's ability to maintain national security.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also offered his condolences and said the Union and the state governments should be more proactive to end this menace so that the precious lives of our soldiers are not endangered.
"Deeply saddened to hear about the martyrdom of many of our soldiers and a driver in the cowardly Naxalite attack in Bijapur, Chhattisgarh. I pay my heartfelt tribute to the martyrs and hope for the speedy recovery of the injured soldiers," Gandhi said in a post on X in Hindi.
Expressing his condolences to the bereaved families in this difficult time, the Congress leader said the entire country is united against terror and violence.
"The increase in martyrdom of soldiers raises serious questions about the government's ability to maintain national security," he said.
Echoing similar sentiments, the Congress president said, "Deeply anguished by the cowardly Naxal attack in Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh, where eight of our brave Jawans of the District Reserve Guard (DRG) and a driver made the supreme sacrifice serving the nation."
"Our heartfelt condolences to the families of our courageous heroes. The nation is united against the scourge of this mindless act of terror. Naxalism is an internal security threat and has no place in a Democracy," Kharge said on X.
"The Union and the State Governments should be more proactive to end this menace, so that the precious lives of our soldiers are not endangered," he added.
In their biggest strike on the security forces in Chhattisgarh in two years, the Naxals blew up a vehicle using an improvised explosive device weighing 60 to 70 kg, killing eight District Reserve Guard (DRG) jawans and their civilian driver in Bijapur district on Monday, police said.
The police suspect the powerful IED was planted long back along the route used by the DRG, a state police unit involved in anti-insurgency operations.
Inspector General of Police (Bastar Range) Sundarraj P said the explosive device went off near Ambeli village under the Kutru Police Station area at around 2.15 pm when the DRG personnel from Dantewada district were returning in their Scorpio vehicle after an anti-Naxalite operation.
Eight DRG jawans travelling in the SUV and the driver of the vehicle were killed on the spot, located around 70 km from district headquarters Bijapur, the official added.
The DRG draws its personnel mostly from local tribal population and ranks of surrendered Naxalites.
छत्तीसगढ़ के बीजापुर में हुए कायरतापूर्ण नक्सली हमले में हमारे कई जवानों और वाहन चालक के शहादत की ख़बर सुनकर बेहद दुख हुआ।
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) January 6, 2025
शहीदों को भावपूर्ण श्रद्धांजलि अर्पित करता हूं और घायल जवानों के जल्द से जल्द स्वस्थ होने की आशा करता हूं।
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Karnataka govt directs municipal corps to regulate, prohibit pigeon feeding
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka government has issued directions to municipal corporations across the state to regulate and prohibit feeding pigeons in public places, citing serious public health concerns.
Deputy Secretary to Government V Lakshmikanth has written to the Urban Development Department requesting it to issue directions to the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and all municipal corporations to take immediate steps to implement the measures.
In an official note dated December 16 issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department and released to the media on Wednesday, the department said uncontrolled feeding of pigeons in public places has resulted in large congregations of birds, excessive droppings and serious health concerns, particularly respiratory illnesses linked to prolonged exposure to pigeon droppings and feathers such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis and other lung diseases.
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"The commissioner, the Greater Bengaluru Authority and the Commissioners and chief officers of other municipal corporations shall take necessary action to mitigate the causes of dangerous disease spread by pigeon and enforce specified guidelines in their respective jurisdiction," the note said.
According to the department, these include a prohibition on feeding pigeons or causing pigeons to be fed in areas where it may cause nuisance or pose a health hazard to the public. Pigeon feeding shall be permitted only in designated areas in a controlled manner, subject to certain conditions.
"The designated areas may be selected in consultation with stakeholders. The responsibility for upkeep of the designated areas and compliance to the directions shall be taken up by some charitable organisation or an NGO. The feeding in designated areas shall be permitted only for some limited hours in the day," it said.
The note further stated that authorised officers of local authorities shall issue on-the-spot warnings and may impose fines for violation of the order, or lodge complaints to prosecute offenders under Sections 271 (Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) and 272 (Malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
It also directed local authorities to conduct public awareness campaigns, including the display of signboards, banners and digital messages, explaining the health hazards associated with pigeon droppings and feathers, the content of the regulatory directions and penalties for violations, and alternative humane methods of bird conservation that do not endanger public health.
