Ex-Mayor's PA held in connection with Bengaluru violence
Bengaluru: A personal assistant of a former Congress Mayor R Sampath Raj has been arrested in connection with the mob violence here last week, police said on Wednesday.
The assistant, Arun Kumar, had allegedly instigated the mob against sitting MLA R Akhanda Srinivasa Murthy and his sister who were the prime target of the vandals during the violence on August 11, police sources said.
"Yes, we arrested Arun Kumar," Bengaluru police commissioner Kamal Pant told PTI.
The crowd, protesting a social media post by the MLA's nephew, had torched the house of Murthy and the DJ Halli and KG Halli police stations. They also badly damaged Jayanthi's house.
The police had on Tuesday questioned Sampath Raj and Pulakeshinagar ward corporator Abdul Rakeeb Zakir.
Police have so far arrested close to 300 people in connection with the violence that led to the death of four people including three in police firing.
Scores, including around 50 policemen, were injured in the violence that erupted on Tuesday night and continued till the wee hours of Wednesday.
The state government has said local level "political differences", especially within the Congress, and the Social Democratic Party of India's larger conspiracy to disturb law and order were among the reasons behind the violence.
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Discoms urge Delhiites to switch off non essential lighting during Earth Hour on Saturday
New Delhi (PTI): City power discoms have urged Delhiites to participate in Earth Hour on Saturday by turning off non-essential electrical appliances between 8.30 pm and 9.30 pm to promote a sustainable environment.
BSES discoms BRPL and BYPL have joined the event promoted by WWF-India.
This year's initiative is themed "Give an Hour for Earth," calling on citizens to dedicate one hour to the planet and inspire lasting change.
"As a proud partner of WWF-India, BSES has urged its around 54 lakh consumers and 2.25 crore residents across South, West, East and Central Delhi to participate in this global movement," the discom said in a statement.
Last year, Delhi saved 269 MW during Earth Hour.
From homes and markets to offices and public spaces, the city will unite in turning off non-essential lights and appliances during this hour in a collective act that emphasises a shared commitment to sustainability.
Earth Hour 2026 also marks two decades of a movement that has grown from a symbolic switch-off in Sydney in 2007 into a defining global call for climate action across more than 190 countries.
BSES plans to switch off non-essential lighting in over 400 offices covering approximately 900 square kilometres during the designated hour.
The discoms are using social media, SMS, and email to reach out to people for wider participation in the initiative.
In a statement, the Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited (TPDDL) said that it has reached out to resident welfare associations (RWAs) and other consumers to spread awareness about Earth Hour. The discom has also approached students and teachers across 150 schools, as well as residents of 218 slum clusters in the city.
