CM Bommai appeals to pro-Kannada organisations not to go ahead with Karnataka bandh on Dec 31
Hubballi (Karnataka)(PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Wednesday appealed to pro-Kannada organisations not to go ahead with the state-wide bandh called by them on December 31, demanding a complete ban on the activities of the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samithi (MES).
He said the government has already taken action against "anti Kannada forces" and was examining their demand for the ban legally.
"I appeal to organisations... as per their wishes, we have already taken several decisions. We have taken strict action as per law against anti Kannada forces. On the demand for banning MES, we are examining it legally. So I appeal to them through the media not to go ahead with the bandh. Bandh is not an answer for everything," Bommai said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said, the government would welcome it if organisations want to put pressure in any other peaceful way, other than bandh.
"So we earnestly appeal to the organisations to drop the bandh call," he added.
Several pro-Kannada organisations have called for a day-long state wide bandh on December 31, demanding a complete ban on the activities of Maharashtra Ekikaran Samithi in the state over its repeated involvement in "anti-Karnataka and anti-Kannada activities".
The demand follows the recent incidents of burning of the Kannada flag in Maharashtra's Kolhapur and defacement of the statue of historical icon Sangolli Rayanna in Belagavi, allegedly by MES activists.
The Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES), a Marathi outfit, has been campaigning for long to merge Marathi speaking regions in Belagavi with Maharashtra.
Asked whether MES can be banned as per law, Bommai said, "We are examining it. I'm not saying it will be banned, I had said the same thing in the assembly as well. We will have to look into it."
To a question if the orginsations try to implement the bandh forcefully, he said, " we will take action accordingly, as and when such a situation arise."
However, several organisations like the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC), Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV), Bruhat Bangalore Hotels Association, Auto, schools and colleges associations, shopping malls association and several other commercial establishments have offered only moral support and said they will not participate in the band and function normally.
Business establishments have cited New Year brisk business for not physically supporting the bandh call.
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Bomb-like object recovered in Jaisalmer's Kishanghat area; Area cordoned off
Jaipur (PTI): A bomb-like object was found in the Kishanghat area of Rajasthan's Jaisalmer district on Friday morning, prompting swift action by the local police and air force.
According to the police, the object was found near a nursery in the colony of the Jogis, located in front of Kishanghat under Kotwali police station area.
Kotwali SHO Prem Daan said it seems to be a bomb-like object. Experts from the army are on their way Kishanghat to defuse it.
"It it currently not known if it is live or destroyed," he said.
Arjun Nath, a local, spotted the object and immediately informed Kishanghat Sarpanch representative Kalyan Ram, who then alerted authorities. Following this, teams from the local police and the Indian Air Force arrived at the scene, they said.
The area has been cordoned off as a precautionary measure and further investigation is underway.
The object resembled parts of a drone that was launched by Pakistan on Jaisalmer on Thursday night around 10.30 pm. However, official confirmation is awaited.
Authorities have urged residents to remain calm and follow safety instructions as security measures have been intensified in the region.
