As protests spread against Karnataka governor, security tightened, Gehlot opts for bullet-proof car
Bengaluru, Aug 21: In the wake of violent statewide protests condemning Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot's grant of permission to prosecute Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, the state constitutional head's security has been tightened, Raj Bhavan sources said on Wednesday.
The governor has also started using a bullet-proof car since Tuesday morning, the sources told PTI.
"All the governors, by virtue of holding gubernatorial posts, are entitled to Z-plus security. Till now, the governor was not using it because he did not feel the need for it but now his security will be tightened," a source told PTI hinting that Gehlot will be given Z-Plus security.
Major protests had broken out across the state after Gehlot gave permission to investigate and prosecute Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority site allotment scam.
ALSO READ: One constable is enough to arrest him: CM Siddaramaiah hits back at HDK
Congress leaders and workers staged dharnas, foot marches and rallies in all the district headquarters, holding placards denouncing the action of the governor and raising slogans against him. The opposition BJP leaders too staged a demonstration here demanding the chief minister's resignation.
The violent agitations against Gehlot shook various parts of the state, where people burnt the effigy of the governor.
During a protest in Mangaluru on Monday, Congress leader Ivan D'Souza warned that Gehlot might be forced to flee Raj Bhavan -- similar to what deposed Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina did earlier this month.
"Gehlot, get out. He has to go back. In case he is not recalled by the President (Droupadi Murmu)...like the way Bangladesh Prime Minister fled in the middle of night... the same circumstance would befall the governor's office," MLC D'Souza said.
Hasina, 76, resigned and fled to India on August 5 following a massive protest by students against a controversial quota system in government jobs.
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Austrian police detain suspect in case of rat poison found in baby food jars on supermarket shelves
Vienna (AP): Police in eastern Austria say a 39-year-old suspect has been arrested after rat poison turned up in some HiPP baby food jars on supermarket shelves in central Europe.
HiPP, which recalled some of its baby food jars in Austria, Slovakia and the Czech Republic after the case came to light last month, said in a statement Saturday it was “greatly relieved” by the arrest, and would provide further updates as verified details come in.
The Burgenland State Criminal Police Office, under the direction of prosecutors, said a probe was launched after poison turned up in a baby food jar purchased at a supermarket in the city of Eisenstadt on April 18.
It said the suspect was being questioned, and that no further details would be immediately provided. The Burgenland public prosecutor's office has announced an investigation into suspected “intentional endangerment of the public.”
The Austrian Press Agency reported that an expert report on the toxicity of the poison was pending. A total of five tampered baby food jars were seized before they could be consumed, APA reported.
Authorities said previously they believe the tampering occurred in 190-gram (6.7-ounce) jars of baby food made with carrots and potatoes for 5-month-olds that were sold from SPAR supermarkets in Austria.
HiPP responded by recalling all of its baby food jars sold at SPAR supermarkets — which include SPAR, EUROSPAR, INTERSPAR and Maximarkt stores — in Austria as a precaution. Vendors in Slovakia and the Czech Republic also removed all of the brand's baby jars from sale.
The company said the recall was not due to any product or quality defect on its part, and said the jars left its facility in “perfect condition.”
Police said a customer at the time of the discovery had reported that a jar appeared to have been tampered with, but no one had consumed the baby food.
