BJP activist's murder: CM Bommai expresses confidence about nabbing killers at the earliest
Bengaluru, Aug 1: Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Monday said investigation is on in connection with the murder of a BJP youth wing leader in Dakshina Kannada district last week, which had sparked outrage, as he expressed confidence about nabbing the culprits at the earliest.
He said the case will be officially handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) soon and added, however its officials have already started gathering preliminary information.
"Police have been given a free hand and the investigation is progressing in the case, at the earliest killers will be found," Bommai said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said, in two to three days the case will be officially handed over to the NIA.
"The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act has to be invoked, that process is on, technical and paper works are being done, at the earliest it will be handed over. NIA has been informed informally and few of its officials are already gathering preliminary information from Kerala and Mangaluru," he added.
A 32-year old zilla Bharatiya Yuva Morcha committee member Praveen Nettar was hacked to death by unidentified motorbike-borne assailants on July 26 night at Bellare in Sullia taluk in Dakshina Kannada district, which had sparked outrage.
Two persons with suspected links with the Popular Front of India (PFI) were arrested by Karnataka police in connection with the murder on July 28.
Amid criticism against him for skipping from visiting the houses of Masood (18) who was murdered in Bellare recently and Mohammed Fazil (23) who was hacked to death at Surathkal recently, when he called on the family of murdered BJP leader Praveen Nettar, Bommai said, "I will surely visit in the days to come."
JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy and a delegation of Congress leaders have visited the houses of all the three deceased.
The Chief Minister who is visiting Koppal district on Monday said, he will review and do a spot infection for the development of 'Anjanadri betta' (Anjanadri hill), considered to be the birthplace of Lord Hanuman, for which the government has already announced Rs 100 crore, and will be attending various other programmes.
"For now we will begin the work to provide facilities to tourists at Anjanadri betta, there is some land acquisition that needs to be done, we will do it and then begin the major works," he said.
The Chief Minister said he will be holding two key meetings, one-to take stock of the situation and gather information regarding damages caused due to recent rains in the state, and the second regarding monkeypox with the Health Minister and department officials, to decide on precautionary measures that need to be taken.
Bommai also said that the BJP is planning regional and district-wise conventions of the party in the days to come.
These conventions are part of BJP's preparations in the run-up to the 2023 Assembly polls.
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Nearly 700 km of Karnataka rivers polluted; cities, towns depend on contaminated water
Shivamogga: A total of 693.75 of river stretches across Karnataka are polluted, and water from several of these rivers is being supplied to towns and cities, the State government informed the Legislative Assembly.
According to a report published by The New Indian Express on Monday, replying to an unstarred question by Thirthahalli MLA Araga Jnanendra during the winter session in Belagavi, Forest, Environment and Biodiversity Minister Eshwar Khandre said rivers are classified into five categories, P1 to P5, based on Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) levels, with P1 being the most polluted.
He reportedly said untreated domestic wastewater from urban and rural areas is the main reason for river pollution. Arkavati, Lakshana Teertha, Tungabhadra, Bhadra, Tunga, Cauvery, Kabini, Kagina, Krishna, Shimsha, Bheema and Netravati are the polluted rivers and so far, 112 polluted drainages along these rivers have been identified.
Khandre explained that rivers are classified into five pollution categories P1 to P5. The Arkavati River has been placed in the P1 category, while no rivers fall under P2 and P3. Tungabhadra, Bhadra and Shimsha are categorised under P4, and eight other rivers fall under P5.
Khandre allegedly said domestic wastewater from municipalities, towns and villages along riverbeds is being discharged into at least 17 rivers, identified by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). This is the primary cause of river pollution.
According to the report, the minister said drinking water is being supplied from polluted rivers in districts such as Mandya, Ramanagara, Vijayapura and Shivamogga. In parts of Uttara Kannada, Ballari, Vijayanagara and Bagalkot, local bodies are also drawing water from polluted river sources.
In 2022-23, CPCB identified South Pinakini, Aghanashini, Sharavathi and Gangavali rivers too as polluted. But wrote to CPCB, stating that these rivers are not polluted and sought their removal from the list. An action plan is being prepared for the South Pinakini River, he said.
On remedial measures, Khandre reportedly said the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board is setting up sewage treatment plants as per the directions of National Green Tribunal.
As per the report, under 12 river rejuvenation plans, the state generates 817.31 million litres per day (MLD) of sewage. While 41 STPs with a capacity of 614.1 MLD are operational, 203.21 MLD of sewage remains untreated.
Work is underway to establish 19 STPs with a capacity of 248.91 MLD, while 39 more STPs with a combined capacity of 357.92 MLD are in the planning stage. Progress is being monitored and reported regularly to the NGT and the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti.
The minister reportedly said the state government gave its approval for underground drainage works worth Rs 535.56 crore in 2021 for 24 cities/towns besides Rs 523.80 crore for nine UGD projects.
