Bring amendment to law for cancelling licenses of shops selling drugs: CM Siddaramaiah to officials
Bengaluru, May 31 (PTI): Asserting that his government will make Karnataka a drug-free state, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday instructed the officials to bring an amendment to the law regarding cancellation of licenses of shops and other centers selling drugs.
Speaking at the review meeting with Deputy Commissioners (DCs) of all districts and CEOs of all Zilla Panchayats here, he asked for strict action to be continued against drugs.
"As many as 6,767 cases were registered in 2023 and 4,188 cases in 2024. So far this year, 1,793 cases have been registered. DCs and SP should take effective steps to curb drug trafficking in the districts," Siddaramaiah was quoted as telling officers, his office said in a release.
If necessary, the government is committed to implementing stricter laws, he said, as he called for continuous monitoring of drug activities in schools and colleges.
Questioning as to why no action is being taken against hate speech in the districts, despite the Supreme Court's clear directions in this regard, the CM said a complaint should be filed immediately and action should be taken as per the law.
Similarly, immediate action should be taken in cases of spreading false news and information about government schemes and measures taken, he said.
The DCs should provide all cooperation to the police department to curb criminal activities. All pending cases under the Goonda Act should be disposed of expeditiously, he said.
Meanwhile, Minister Santosh Lad suggested "honey fencing" to prevent elephants from destroying agricultural fields or plantations, during the discussion on increasing incidents of human-animal conflicts in the state.
"A serious discussion was held in the meeting about the loss of lives due to human-animal conflict in many places in the state and to provide a scientific solution to this. At this time, Minister Santosh Lad explained to the Chief Minister about 'honey fencing, honey farming'," the Chief Minister's office said in a statement.
Pointing out that elephants do not come to the area where there are bees, the minister said that therefore, if honey farming is done along the elephant barricade, it will benefit the farmers and the elephant menace can also be avoided.
Siddarmaiah urged officials to take appropriate measures to prevent human-elephant conflict.
"Elephant task forces should work actively. Proper food should be made available to elephants in the forest itself. In addition to this, work should be done to remove lantana weeds. Also, the availability of drinking water should be ensured in sufficient quantities in the forest," he said.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Oppn, X users flag concerns over US envoy Sergio Gor’s visit to Army’s western command
New Delhi: A visit by the US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, to Chandigarh on Monday has triggered sharp criticism from opposition leaders and social media users, raising questions about national security and foreign policy.
On X, Ambassador Gor announced his visit, writing, “Just landed in Chandigarh. Looking forward to visiting the Western Command of the Indian Army.”
Just landed in Chandigarh. Looking forward to visiting the Western Command of the Indian Army
— Ambassador Sergio Gor (@USAmbIndia) February 16, 2026
Soon after, opposition voices questioned the broader implications of the visit. Congress Kerala, in a post, commented, “Why so much panic? We’ve already seen Pakistan's ISI getting access to Pathankot Airbase with this government's blessings. Didn't they say then ‘Modi ne kiya ho to kuch soch samajh kar kiya hoga?’ Compared to that, this is very small.”
Why so much panic? We’ve already seen Pakistan's ISI getting access to Pathankot Airbase with this government's blessings.
— Congress Kerala (@INCKerala) February 16, 2026
Didn't they say then "Modi ne kiya ho to kuch soch samajh kar kiya hoga?"
Compared to that, this is very small. pic.twitter.com/gNNuAGQBPC
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi also weighed in, writing, “Since India’s national strategic interests are now tied to what US wants India to do, this visit seems to sync with that.”
She further added, “India’s history will remember the de-escalation announcement between India and Pak was announced on social media by the US President before Indians got to know from their own government. US Ambassador is doing the job for his nation, who is doing for us? The answer is blowing in the wind.”
Since India’s national strategic interests are now tied to what US wants India to do, this visit seems to sync with that. India’s history will remember the de-escalation announcement between India and Pak was announced on social media by the US President before Indians got to… pic.twitter.com/rYMq5NhJHA
— Priyanka Chaturvedi🇮🇳 (@priyankac19) February 16, 2026
The visit comes against the backdrop of the growing US-India defence partnership.
Writer and political analyst @rajuparulekar commented on ‘X’, “East India Company is back!”
“Is it allowed for an ambassador to visit any army unit in india?” asked another user.
Several X users expressed concerns over the appropriateness of the visit.
One asked, “Is it allowed for an ambassador to visit any army unit in India?” Another wrote, “Why an ambassador visiting our army places? To talk to Chandigarh lobby for F-35?”
Why an ambassador visiting our army places ? To talk to chandigarh lobby for f-35 ??
— Rohan Sagar (@RohanSagar03) February 16, 2026
“We have completely sold Indian sovereignty. Rothschild the evil Bankers will now control NSE. Modi sold Bharat Mata to Trump . And now American imperialist is visiting our army command . Scary,” wrote another user.
“The Indian Army isn’t part of geopolitics, so why is he interested in visiting there?,” opined another.
The Indian Army isn’t part of geopolitics, so why is he interested in visiting there?
— Aditya Pratap Singh (@Adi_IIMCIAN) February 16, 2026
On Sunday, Gor welcomed Admiral Samuel Paparo, Commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), highlighting efforts to expand the growing US-India defence partnership.
In a post on X, Gor wrote, “Delighted to have @INDOPACOM Commander Admiral Samuel Paparo in India to expand the U.S.-India defense partnership. Now is the time to strengthen vital cooperation between our two nations.”
On Monday, Admiral Samuel J. Paparo Jr visited the headquarters of India’s Western Army Command along with the American envoy Sergio Gor. The delegation was briefed on the formation’s capabilities, its past operations, and future plans.
The American delegation also visited Bengaluru, where they met three start-ups, two in the space sector and one in defence, and participated in an Indo-US conference.
