Karnataka govt contemplates confiscating properties of absconders who killed BJYM leader
Mangaluru, Aug 10: The Karnataka government is mulling over confiscating properties of the three assailants who had murdered Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha leader Praveen Nettar in his village three weeks ago in Dakshina Kannada district.
"We know those three assailants, we have their photo, know their houses, their parents and wives. They are shifting quickly from one place to another, which is why there is a delay in arresting them," Karnataka Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Alok Kumar told reporters here on Wednesday.
"It was a planned attack. The assailants fled after committing the crime. We are trying to locate them. We will serve warrant against the absconders, seize their properties and initiate various other action," Kumar added.
The top police brass said seven people have already been arrested in the Nettar murder case. One person named Kabir was arrested on Tuesday. However, three main accused who carried out the attack are yet to be arrested, he explained.
Kumar also said the police will initiate action against all those who harboured the assailants.
The officer said the Mangaluru police along with the National Investigation Agency (NIA) is working in tandem to crack the case.
In this regard, he had a review meeting with the officials of Mangaluru and various other districts on Wednesday.
During the meeting, he also reviewed the law and order situation in Mangaluru, where prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) is still in force.
Three weeks ago in Nettaru village in Bellare of Dakshina Kannada district, Praveen Nettar was hacked to death when he was returning home after shutting his poultry shop.
The right-wing members alleged that it was done by Muslim fundamentalists to terrorise them. They also charged that the murderers had links with the Popular Front of India (PFI) and Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI).
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.
Will remain CM till high command wishes: Siddaramaiah
Belagavi (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday reiterated that he will remain as the chief minister as long as the Congress high command wants him to continue.
He also said that his party has got a mandate for five years to rule and will also come back to power after 2028 assembly elections.
"I am saying this very clearly. We have high command. We abide by their decision. Whatever high command says is ultimate," Siddaramaiah told the Assembly.
The leadership issue popped up in the Assembly during the question hour.
Congress MLA from Kunigal, H D Ranganath, alleged that the farmers in his constituency were not getting short-term loan from the District Central Cooperative Bank (DCC Bank) whereas farmers from neighbouring Madhugiri constituency got short term loans worth Rs 100 crore.
Ranganath, who is loyal to Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar and wants to see him as the next CM, alleged that the farmers of his constituency are being discriminated against.
K N Rajanna, who is considered to be a Siddaramaiah loyalist, represents the Madhugiri segment.
Replying to Ranganath, Siddaramaiah assured him that if there was any discrimination then he would rectify it.
"Hope Ranganath trusts me," the CM said.
The Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, R Ashoka, quipped that the discrimination appeared to be intentional.
The CM retorted, "Don't add fuel to the fire. Opposition is meant for adding fuel."
Ashoka replied, "It means there is fire. Ranganath is performing poojas to see that D K Shivakumar becomes CM."
Ashoka also said it does not matter if the Opposition is adding fuel, but the concerning matter is that the ruling Congress MLAs are involved in creating unrest.
Siddaramaiah reprimanded Ashoka, saying that he should keep quiet when the ruling MLAs are silent.
Ashoka said, "They are not quiet sir. They are doing poojas every day. They want to see Shivakumar as CM. I am reading it in the newspapers every day."
To this Siddaramaiah said, "Even if you try to instigate, no one from our side will react… All 140 MLAs are standing in unison."
The Leader of Opposition then sought to know whether he would remain CM for full five years.
In reply, Siddaramaiah said, "Why are you asking me this question. People have given us a mandate to rule for five years."
The chief minister said, "The voters of Karnataka have blessed us to complete a five-year term. We were blessed by people twice -- in 2013 and 2018 assembly polls, whereas the BJP never got a public mandate and they will not be blessed by the voters in future to hold power single-handedly. They will remain in the opposition forever."
BJP MLA S Suresh Kumar pointed out that, "Siddaramaiah had been saying 'I will remain as chief minister for five years’, but now he is saying ‘we will rule for five years’. There is a shift from the singular term 'I' to the plural term 'we'."
To this, the chief minister said, "We are running the government. It was always plural (collective). It was never an individual affair. I am the CM till now and will remain in the post till the high command wishes."
The power tussle between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar refuses to die down though the two leaders tried to clear the air through their 'breakfast diplomacy'.
