Rickshaw driver assaulted with deadly weapon in Mangaluru
Mangaluru: A rickshaw driver fell victim to a violent assault on Panambur Beach Road, yesterday. Identified as Arafat (30), a resident of Bunder was attacked while he parked near Panambur beach awaiting passengers.
Reports indicate that Arafat, a rickshaw driver from Mangalore city, had arrived at the beach area. However, tensions escalated when he encountered resistance from four rickshaw drivers already stationed there, allegedly upset over Mangaluru city drivers encroaching on their territory. The confrontation turned violent, with Arafat sustaining injuries to his hand.
Following the incident, Panambur police registered a case and initiated further investigation.
The incident has sparked outrage among rickshaw drivers in Mangaluru, who staged a protest outside Wenlock Hospital. They termed the attack as yet another instance of hooliganism at the Panambur rickshaw park, calling for the immediate arrest of the perpetrators. Rickshaw drivers demanded an end to such acts of violence, and demanded for urban permit rickshaws to have the freedom to operate within the city limits without fear of reprisal.
Arafat stated that while parked near the beach, he was attacked by a fellow rickshaw driver. Amidst the confrontation, another individual appeared, striking him on the head with a spanner before wielding a sharp weapon.
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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.
