Belgaum: Minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar bats for medal to PSI Annapurna for Hubballi encounter
Belgaum, April 15: Women and Child Development Minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar on Monday said that she would recommend Police Sub-Inspector (PSI) Annapurna for a top state medal for her action in the recent Hubballi murder case, in which a minor girl was killed.
Speaking to media persons in Belgaum, Minister Hebbalkar said, “I appreciate PSI Annapurna’s work and will recommend to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Home Minister Dr G. Parameshwara that she be honoured with the highest award.” She also personally congratulated the officer for her bravery.
The minister reiterated her long-standing demand for strict punishment in crimes involving violence against women. “Those accused in such cases should be hanged. Quick justice must be ensured for the victims,” she said, adding that PSI Annapurna’s action should serve as an example for other officers in the state.
When asked whether Annapurna would be eligible for the Rani Channamma Award, the minister clarified that the award is not given to government employees, but if such consideration arises, Annapurna’s name would top the list.
Criticism of BJP and Law and Order Remarks
Hebbalkar also defended the state’s law and order record, stating that the Karnataka government had handled the Hubballi incident effectively. She dismissed BJP’s criticism and said, “Instead of targeting us, the BJP should look at what’s happening in Manipur. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not even visited the violence-hit state.”
Government to Organize Ambedkar Program in Nippani
Responding to a question about the BJP’s plan to host a ‘Bhima Nisam’ event in Nippani to commemorate 100 years of Dr B.R. Ambedkar’s visit, the minister said that the Congress-led government would also organise a program in Nippani to mark the occasion. She added that the matter had already been discussed in the cabinet.
Clarification on Caste Census
When asked about the release of the caste census, Minister Hebbalkar said that the Congress government has never opposed it. “The earlier census counted Veerashaivas and Lingayats separately. It should be corrected and updated. The population of all communities, including Veerashaivas and Lingayats, has increased,” she said, clarifying that the figures appearing low is due to the split in categorisation.
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Telangana: Man sets woman on fire for 'rejecting' marriage proposal
Hyderabad (PTI): A 28-year-old married woman was set on fire allegedly by a man after she "rejected" his marriage proposal in Mahabubabad town on Tuesday, police said.
The accused, in his 40s, who runs a shop, had developed an "illicit" relationship with the woman and was suspecting that she was in contact with another person and that she was "ignoring" him.
He poured petrol on the woman when she was alone at her house and set her on fire. He then hugged her and both of them suffered injuries, police said.
They were initially shifted to Government Hospital in Mahabubabad and later admitted to another state-run Hospital in Warangal for further treatment.
As per the doctors, the woman suffered 90 per cent burns in the incident while the accused 75 per cent burns, police said.
The woman's mother, in a complaint to the police, stated that her daughter was married to a man in Gudur mandal.
Due to family disputes, the woman came to Mahabubabad along with her two children and was residing there for the past three years.
She was running a vegetable cart. The accused was already married, and his wife had passed away. He developed an"illicit" relationship with the woman, police said.
The accused allegedly forced and harassed the victim to marry him, the complainant said.
Based on a complaint, an attempt to murder case was registered in connection with the incident, police added.
