BJP leader G S Nagaraja, key accused in Chikkaballapura quarry blast arrested
Bengaluru, Feb 26: G S Nagaraja, one of the partners of the quarry and the prime accused in the Chikkaballapura quarry blast case has been arrested, police said.
Nagaraja, also a local BJP leader from Gudibande, who had been absconding since the blast was held on Thursday, police sources said.
Police have also picked up another person named Ganesh, who hails from Tamil Nadu and is said to be the person who regularly carried out blasting for the crusher unit, for investigation.
Six people were killed when the gelatin sticks they were trying to hide exploded accidentally at a stone quarry site at a village in Chikkaballapura district, early on Tuesday.
The incident was close on the heels of a similar blast at a quarry site in Shivamogga on January 22, which left six dead.
Police on Wednesday had announced the arrest of other three partners of the quarry-Raghavendra Reddy, Venkatashiva Reddy, Madhusudan Reddy- and employees Praveen and Mohammed Riyaz Ansari (driver), in connection with the case.
Gudibande Police Station Circle Inspector Manjunath and Sub-Inspector Gopal Reddy have been kept under suspension pending enquiry, on charges of dereliction of duty.
Police had raided the quarry and crusher unit on February 7 for illegally procuring and storing explosives, but had failed to do a thorough follow-up, and arrest the accused in the case, which if done could have prevented the explosion, officials said.
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Karnataka govt directs municipal corps to regulate, prohibit pigeon feeding
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka government has issued directions to municipal corporations across the state to regulate and prohibit feeding pigeons in public places, citing serious public health concerns.
Deputy Secretary to Government V Lakshmikanth has written to the Urban Development Department requesting it to issue directions to the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and all municipal corporations to take immediate steps to implement the measures.
In an official note dated December 16 issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department and released to the media on Wednesday, the department said uncontrolled feeding of pigeons in public places has resulted in large congregations of birds, excessive droppings and serious health concerns, particularly respiratory illnesses linked to prolonged exposure to pigeon droppings and feathers such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis and other lung diseases.
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"The commissioner, the Greater Bengaluru Authority and the Commissioners and chief officers of other municipal corporations shall take necessary action to mitigate the causes of dangerous disease spread by pigeon and enforce specified guidelines in their respective jurisdiction," the note said.
According to the department, these include a prohibition on feeding pigeons or causing pigeons to be fed in areas where it may cause nuisance or pose a health hazard to the public. Pigeon feeding shall be permitted only in designated areas in a controlled manner, subject to certain conditions.
"The designated areas may be selected in consultation with stakeholders. The responsibility for upkeep of the designated areas and compliance to the directions shall be taken up by some charitable organisation or an NGO. The feeding in designated areas shall be permitted only for some limited hours in the day," it said.
The note further stated that authorised officers of local authorities shall issue on-the-spot warnings and may impose fines for violation of the order, or lodge complaints to prosecute offenders under Sections 271 (Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) and 272 (Malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
It also directed local authorities to conduct public awareness campaigns, including the display of signboards, banners and digital messages, explaining the health hazards associated with pigeon droppings and feathers, the content of the regulatory directions and penalties for violations, and alternative humane methods of bird conservation that do not endanger public health.
