Clashes erupt during celebrations near Talapady tollgate: Police resort to lathi-charge
Ullal: Clashes erupt between police and UDF workers when the Manjeshwara League workers reached at Karnataka border place Talapady to celebrate the victory of UDF-backed candidate Rajmohan Unnithan, who became the MP of Kasaragod Lok Sabha constituency in Kerala.
When the situation was getting out of control, the police resort to lathi-charge and seized their vehicles.
Four bike riders of UDF, who proceeded from Kerala's Toominadu towards Talapady Tollgate in Karnataka, started raising slogans. A verbal clash erupted when the residents of Talapady opposed them and police reached to the spot. At this point, two of the bikers returned. But after a while, around 50 activists of League came on bikes and reportedly started stone pelting on Karnataka police.
Subsequently, the police seized their vehicles and flags and brought the situation under control.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Karnataka HC sets aside NGT order against MEG over Halasuru Lake pollution
Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court has quashed a May 20, 2022, National Green Tribunal (NGT) order that held the Madras Engineering Group (MEG) and Centre, Bengaluru, responsible for pollution in Halasuru Lake.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice NV Anjaria and Justice KV Aravind ruled that the NGT's order, which imposed an environmental compensation of ₹2.94 crore on MEG, was issued without granting them an opportunity to be heard, violating principles of natural justice.
The court has remanded the case back to the NGT, Southern Zone, Chennai, for reconsideration. The NGT has been directed to decide afresh on the imposition of environmental compensation after providing a fair hearing to MEG.
However, the High Court ordered MEG to deposit ₹1 crore with the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) as per the August 2024 NGT directive. This deposit will remain subject to the outcome of the fresh proceedings.
The NGT initiated the case in March 2016 following a news report that alleged pollution by a slaughterhouse, MEG, and the Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB). The BWSSB was also directed to pay ₹1 crore as environmental compensation.
Additional Solicitor General Arvind Kamath, representing MEG, argued that an open stormwater drain under BWSSB flows through MEG’s premises into the lake, contributing to the pollution. He stated that the sewage load from MEG is minimal and plans for a 1,200-KLD sewage treatment plant (STP) are underway.
The bench noted that no proper liability assessment had been conducted against MEG, and no opportunity was provided for them to present their defence before the demand notice was issued.
The matter will now be re-examined by the NGT.
