Togadia denied permission to hold meetings in Guwahati
Guwahati, July 17: The Assam Police has asked former VHP leader and Antarrashtriya Hindu Parishad (AHP) chief Pravin Togadia not to go ahead with his organisation's meetings in Guwahati scheduled from Tuesday.
Guwahati Commissioner of Police Hiren Nath issued an order to this effect on Tuesday.
Nath said the order was necessary as it is believed that Togadia's "inflammatory" speeches can hurt the sentiments of religious minority community and create a deep sense of insecurity among them, which can disturb peace.
Prohibitory orders have already been imposed in and around Guwahati.
"Pravinbhai Togadia, AHP president, is very likely to make inflammatory speeches if allowed to address the event to be held on 17th, 18th and 19th July 2018 at ITA Machkhowa or at other places of Guwahati ... or allowed to address a press conference on 19th July 2018 at Guwahati Press Club, thereby disturbing the public peace and order in Guwahati and other areas of the commissionerate in a serious manner," the order said.
Togadia was scheduled to visit the state from Tuesday till Friday and address a rally at Pragjyoti ITA Centre at Machkhowa in Guwahati on Thursday and a press conference at Guwahati Press Club on July 19.
The Police Commissioner further said that the prevailing situation in Assam arising out of the proposed final draft publication of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) is not conducive to allow Togadia to address a rally or a press conference in Guwahati and other areas of the city.
The order will remain in force in the territorial areas of Guwahati Police Commissionerate for two months starting Tuesday.
A majority of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal members in Assam resigned and joined the AHP after Togadia quit the organization about two months back.
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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.
