Free for women, costlier for men: K'taka assembly LoP R. Ashoka on 15 percent bus fare hike in state
Bengaluru: The Karnataka government’s decision to implement a 15 percent hike in bus fares across all four State-run transport corporations has sparked protests from the BJP and dissatisfaction among commuters.
The move, effective on January 5, is expected to generate Rs 74.85 crore monthly and about Rs 784 crore annually.
The Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly R Ashoka led the protest against the government bus fare hike at the Kempegowda Bus Stand at Majestic on Friday. He was seen giving away roses and apologising to people.
ALSO READ: Karnataka cabinet approves formation of separate Dharwad Municipal Corporation
“There was a rise in petrol and diesel prices during our government as well, but we did not raise the bus fares. A 15 percent hike is too much; how will people pay? Private taxis are cheaper than KSRTC buses,” Ashoka told reporters.
"They've made bus travel free for women, but doubled it for men. Siddaramaiah is the worst CM in the history of Karnataka,” he remarked.
Later, the agitating leaders from the saffron party were taken under preventive custody.
ಬಸ್ ಪ್ರಯಾಣ ದರ ಏರಿಸಿದ ರಾಜ್ಯ @INCKarnataka ಸರ್ಕಾರದ ನಿಲುವನ್ನು ಖಂಡಿಸಿ ಕೆಂಪೇಗೌಡ ಬಸ್ ನಿಲ್ದಾಣದಲ್ಲಿ (ಮೆಜೆಸ್ಟಿಕ್) ಪ್ರಯಾಣಿಕರಿಗೆ ಹೂವು ನೀಡುವುದರ ಮೂಲಕ ಪ್ರತಿಭಟನೆ ನಡೆಸಲಾಯಿತು.
— R. Ashoka (@RAshokaBJP) January 3, 2025
ಈ ಸಂದರ್ಭದಲ್ಲಿ ವಿಧಾನ ಪರಿಷತ್ ವಿಪಕ್ಷ ನಾಯಕರಾದ ಶ್ರೀ @NswamyChalavadi , ಪರಿಷತ್ ಸದಸ್ಯರಾದ ಶ್ರೀ @nrkbjp , ಪದಾಧಿಕಾರಿಗಳು ಮತ್ತು… pic.twitter.com/40YixAZ2UH
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.
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.
