B'luru: Home Min. Dr. G. Parameshwara meets senior cops ahead of Chrismtas, New Year
Bengaluru: Karnataka Home Minister Dr. G Parameshwara has directed police officers to initiate necessary measures to prevent any untoward incidents during the Christmas and New Year celebrations in Bengaluru.
The Minister held a meeting with senior police officers at the city police commissioner's office on Monday and highlighted that last year a proper security arrangement was made for the Christmas and New Year celebrations. “Since Bengaluru is a city that attracts attention around the world, security should be taken very responsibly without neglecting anything,” he said.
“In the backdrop of Christmas celebrations, there should be constant contact with the intelligence department. Greater emphasis should be placed on women's safety. Care should be taken to prevent minor accidents. Those celebrating the New Year should not be harassed. They should be provided with safety. Action should be taken against miscreants who cause trouble,” he said.
He also emphasized that during this critical period, city police officers and staff should not be granted leave except in cases where it is absolutely necessary and unavoidable. He warned that if any kind of accident occurs during Christmas and New Year celebrations, the concerned DCP, ACP, and inspector would be held responsible, and no excuses would be entertained.
Parmeshwara advised seeking assistance from BBMP, BMTC, BMRCL, the Health Department, and the Fire Department. Precautions should be taken to prevent fire accidents. Authorities were instructed to monitor incidents involving drunkenness, bike-wheeling miscreants, and individuals with previous criminal records. He also suggested arranging proper parking facilities for vehicles.
State Director General of Police Alok Mohan, Bengaluru City Police Commissioner B. Dayanand, Additional Commissioner of CCB Division Dr. Chandragupta and Deputy Commissioners of Police and Assistant Commissioners of Police of all divisions were present during the meeting.
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South African police arrest suspect in mass shooting that killed 12, including 3 children
Johannesburg (AP): A 32-year-old suspect has been arrested in connection with a mass shooting which claimed the lives of 12 people including three children at an unlicensed pub earlier this month, South African police said on Monday.
The man is suspected of being one of the three people who opened fire on patrons in a pub at Saulsville township, west of South Africa's capital Pretoria, killing 12 people including three children aged 3, 12 and 16.
At least 13 people were also injured during the attack, whose motive remains unknown.
According to the police, the suspect was arrested on Sunday while traveling to Botlokwa in Limpopo province, more than 340 km from where the mass shooting took place on Dec 6.
An unlicensed firearm believed to have been used during the attack was recovered from the suspect's vehicle.
“The 32-year-old suspect was intercepted by Limpopo Tracking Team on the R101 Road in Westenburg precinct. During the arrest, the team recovered an unlicensed firearm, a hand gun, believed to have been used in the commission of the multiple murders. The firearm will be taken to the Forensic Science Laboratory for ballistic analysis,” police said in statement.
The suspect was arrested on the same day that another mass shooting at a pub took place in the Bekkersdal township, west of Johannesburg, in which nine people were killed and 10 wounded when unknown gunmen opened fire on patrons.
Police have since launched a search for the suspects.
South Africa has one of the highest homicide rates in the world and recorded more than 26,000 homicides in 2024 — an average of more than 70 a day. Firearms are by far the leading cause of death in homicides.
The country of 62 million people has relatively strict gun ownership laws, but many killings are committed with illegal guns, according to authorities.
According to police, mass shootings at unlicensed bars are becoming a serious problem. Police shut down more than 11,000 illegal taverns between April and September this year and arrested more than 18,000 people for involvement in illegal liquor sales.
