Karnataka Governor cancels all events until August 29 amid heightened security
Bengaluru: Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot has canceled all scheduled events until August 29, following intelligence reports that prompted a significant increase in his security measures. The Governor, who usually does not use a bulletproof vehicle, was seen using one on Wednesday, a reflection of the rising tensions between the ruling Congress party and the Governor’s office.
Governor Gehlot's decision to abstain from public events outside Raj Bhavan led to his absence from the inaugural convocation ceremony of Nrupatunga University on Wednesday. According to sources close to the Governor, intelligence inputs suggested that a section of students might protest during the convocation, leading to his decision to skip the event.
The move comes amidst ongoing protests by Congress leaders and ministers, who are demonstrating against the Governor’s decision to sanction the prosecution of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. During a rally at Freedom Park in Bengaluru, Housing Minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan warned that the state’s peace could be disrupted if the Governor continued to act in what they perceive as a partisan manner. Congress MLC Ivan D’Souza further escalated tensions by suggesting that Congress workers might force Gehlot out of Raj Bhavan, drawing parallels with the unrest in Bangladesh that led to the ouster of Sheikh Hasina.
A senior official revealed that the Governor is entitled to Z+ security, which includes the use of a bulletproof car, although Gehlot had not used this vehicle since assuming office last July.
Home Minister G Parameshwara, when informed of the increased security measures, including the use of the bulletproof car, stated that he was unaware of any direct threats to the Governor. He noted that heightened security is often a standard procedure based on intelligence reports, especially during significant events like Independence Day.
Parameshwara also distanced himself from the inflammatory remarks made by Ivan D’Souza, asserting that such language is inappropriate for protests, though he declined to take legal action against the Congress MLC.
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Another North Goa nightclub sealed; Kejriwal says corruption led to fire tragedy
Panaji (PTI): As part of a crackdown against tourist establishments violating laws and safety norms in the aftermath of the Arpora fire tragedy, Goa authorities on Saturday sealed a renowned club at Vagator and revoked the fire department NOC of another club.
Cafe CO2 Goa, located on a cliff overlooking the Arabian Sea at Vagator beach in North Goa, was sealed. The move came two days after Goya Club, also in Vagator, was shut down for alleged violations of rules.
Elsewhere, campaigning for local body polls, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal said the fire incident at Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub at Arpora, which claimed 25 lives on December 6, happened because the BJP government in the state was corrupt.
An inspection of Cafe CO2 Goa by a state government-appointed team revealed that the establishment, with a seating capacity of 250, did not possess a no-objection certificate (NOC) of the Fire and Emergency Services Department. The club, which sits atop Ozrant Cliff, also did not have structural stability, the team found.
The Fire and Emergency Services on Saturday also revoked the NOC issued to Diaz Pool Club and Bar at Anjuna as the fire extinguishers installed in the establishment were found to be inadequate, said divisional fire officer Shripad Gawas.
A notice was issued to Nitin Wadhwa, the partner of the club, he said in the order.
Campaigning at Chimbel village near Panaji in support of his party's Zilla Panchayat election candidate, Aam Aadmi Party leader Kejriwal said the nightclub fire at Arpora happened because of the "corruption of the Pramod Sawant-led state government."
"Why this fire incident happened? I read in the newspapers that the nightclub had no occupancy certificate, no building licence, no excise licence, no construction licence or trade licence. The entire club was illegal but still it was going on," he said.
"How could it go on? Couldn't Pramod Sawant or anyone else see it? I was told that hafta (bribe) was being paid," the former Delhi chief minister said.
A person can not work without bribing officials in the coastal state, Kejriwal said, alleging that officers, MLAs and even ministers are accepting bribes.
