DK SP clarifies actions taken against MLA Harish Poonja amid chaotic incident in Belthangady
Belthangady: Dakshina Kannada Superintendent of Police Rishyanth CB provided clarity on the recent disturbances involving local MLA Harish Poonja, addressing the legal actions taken and the ensuing chaos.
Speaking to reporters in Dharmasthala, SP Rishyanth explained that the initial measures followed legal procedures, with a notice issued for the first case and station bail granted for the second. Further actions will depend on the MLA’s response to the notice.
The SP recounted that three police officers were initially dispatched to MLA Poonja’s residence to bring him in for questioning. However, as a crowd began gathering outside the legislator’s house, additional police personnel were deployed. Local representatives noted the congestion on the narrow street and assured the authorities they would disperse their supporters, requesting the police to withdraw. Consequently, the officers were asked to leave, and the MLA was later taken to the police station for questioning, where he was granted station bail for one of the cases against him.
Regarding the ongoing investigation, SP Rishyanth mentioned that the police are determining whether the alleged illegal mining occurred on private or government land. If confirmed as private land, a case will be filed against the accused, who will also face arrest. During an inspection, quarry workers provided the tahsildar with information on the quarry’s ownership, leading to the arrest of one individual while another remains at large. The police are actively investigating and anticipate arresting the second person soon.
SP Rishyanth emphasized that the law must be upheld, regardless of an individual’s status as an elected representative. He criticized the gathering of large crowds to oppose the legal questioning of an MLA or to demand the withdrawal of a notice or case, stating that legal procedures and charges cannot be influenced by public demonstrations. The law, he reiterated, remains impartial and unaffected by the number of supporters an accused individual might have.
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Lebanon appoints new representative for talks with Israel, rejects linkage to Iran
Beirut: Lebanon’s has moved to underline its independent position in ongoing regional developments, amid attempts to link the country to the broader conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel.
President Joseph Aoun, while announcing the appointment of former US ambassador Simon Karam as Lebanon’s representative in talks with Israel, made it clear that Karam would be the sole representative for Lebanon and that there would be no substitute.
The move comes in response to what the Lebanese officials see as efforts by Iran to tie Lebanon’s situation to the wider regional conflict. Iran had indicated that there would be no ceasefire involving the US, Israel and Iran unless it also included a ceasefire in Lebanon.
Some groups, including Hezbollah and its supporters, had expressed support for linking the situations, citing concerns that the Lebanese government has limited leverage in negotiations with Israel. Lebanon is not formally a party to the conflict, and its army is considered weak.
However, others, including Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, have opposed this approach. They view Iran’s stance as an attempt to influence Lebanon’s internal affairs and see it as undermining the country’s sovereignty.
Officials backing the government’s position say the move is aimed at reaffirming Lebanon’s sovereignty and ensuring that decisions about peace and ceasefire within the country are not dictated externally.
They also see it as a safeguard, so that any breakdown in talks between the US, Israel and Iran does not automatically lead to renewed conflict in Lebanon.
