Muslim men tied, beaten, paraded in Durgapur; BJP leader among those booked
Durgapur: Two Muslim men were allegedly tied up, beaten, and publicly humiliated by members of a Hindutva outfit accompanied by BJP workers in Durgapur on Friday, after they were seen transporting cattle for agricultural purposes.
A case has been registered against Parijat Ganguly, a leader of the BJP’s youth wing, and others involved in the assault. Police confirmed that two individuals have already been arrested and efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining accused.
A video of the incident, which circulated widely on social media, shows the victims being brutally assaulted, tied by the hands, and forced to perform sit-ups while holding their ears, a form of punishment often used to shame individuals in public.
The Muslim men had reportedly purchased cattle from a weekly market in Hatashuria village of Bankura district and were en route to their village in Jemua, near Durgapur. Despite possessing valid purchase and transport documents, BJP workers allegedly released the cattle by force and confiscated the men’s money and documents.
Further compounding the abuse, the attackers falsely accused the victims, who are Indian citizens and registered voters, of being Bangladeshis.
West Bengal Police issued a statement asserting strict action against the culprits: “A case has been registered over the incident and two of the miscreants have already been arrested. Raids are on to apprehend all those involved. None will be spared.”
Reaffirming its stance on communal harmony, the police added: “Nothing and no one will be allowed to dent our state’s tradition of inclusivity and harmony. We always have, and always will, demonstrate zero tolerance for religious bigotry of any kind.”
Trinamool Congress MLA from Pandabeswar, Narendranath Chakraborty, condemned the attack and directly blamed the BJP.
“BJP leader Parijat Ganguly is harassing local people. This is the true face of the BJP, not service, but oppression,” Chakraborty said.
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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.
