Governor lauds Karnataka Police, CM stresses protection of weaker sections
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot on Saturday praised the Karnataka Police for its courage, discipline and sacrifice, calling it a leading force in the country.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who also attended the event, exhorted the police to ensure protection for the weaker sections of society.
While presenting the President's Distinguished Service Medal, President's Commendable Service Medal, and the Union Home Minister's Medal to police officers and personnel at the President's Medal Investiture Ceremony 2025 held at Raj Bhavan, the governor said the awards recognised exemplary service in maintaining peace and security.
He also urged the force to intensify the use of technology to tackle emerging crimes such as cyber offences.
"This ceremony is a mark of respect for the police and reflects the deep faith society holds towards its guardians," Gehlot said.
"Karnataka Police has consistently earned people's trust through its discipline, courage and sacrifice. It has rightly earned recognition as the premier police force of the country."
The Governor also acknowledged the contribution of police families and expressed confidence that the force would continue to uphold national security, unity and integrity with renewed dedication.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who also attended the event, called on the police to ensure protection for weaker sections of society and to take strong measures against atrocities meted out on persons belonging to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
He pointed out that conviction rates in such cases remain low compared to other states and urged police officers to work with greater sensitivity and accountability.
Chief Minister noted that DCRE police stations established in every district to address issues of vulnerable groups have not shown satisfactory progress.
He said preventive steps must be taken to curb crimes and that police performance should be measured by the crimes they prevent rather than just by numbers.
"Police must uphold their social responsibility so that peace prevails in society," Siddaramaiah said.
"If officers perform their duties with sincerity and social concern, society will benefit and justice will be accessible to the common man," he added.
On the occasion, Home Minister G Parameshwara, Director General of Police M A Salim and Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Tushar Girinath were also present.
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41 lakh illicit liquor seized, 1.84 lakh arrested in major drive: K'taka Minister tells Assembly
Belagavi (Karnataka) (PTI): The Karnataka Excise Department has conducted a statewide crackdown on illegal liquor trade over the last two years, resulting in arrests and seizures of alcohol, Karnataka Excise Minister R B Timmapur said on Tuesday.
As many as 1,09,017 people were arrested, and seizures included 13.66 lakh litres of liquor and 27.19 lakh litres of beer, he said in a written reply to a starred question by Harihar BJP MLA B P Harish in the Karnataka Assembly.
The Minister said the enforcement drive covered the financial year 2023–24, 2024–25 up to June, and 2025–26 from July to October, targeting unauthorised liquor manufacture, storage, sale and transportation across the State.
"During this period, statewide enforcement drives resulted in a total of 1,84,570 raids against illegal liquor sales,” Timmapur said.
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He noted that 9,179 non-bailable cases and 91,968 bailable and compoundable cases under Section 15(A) of the Karnataka Excise Act, 1965, were registered during the same period.
According to him, there have been no reports indicating that students have become addicted to alcohol due to illegal liquor sales.
The sale of alcohol to minors is strictly prohibited under the Karnataka Excise Act, 1965, and the department has issued periodic instructions to initiate legal action against violators, with strict enforcement and investigation measures in place, the Minister said.
Excise officials are carrying out regular road and night patrols, collecting intelligence, monitoring habitual offenders and conducting raids to identify illicit distillation units, unauthorised liquor outlets and spurious liquor manufacturing centres, he said, adding the department is also enforcing the law to prevent the production, storage, sale and transport of spurious, non-duty-paid and unauthorised liquor.
Regular patrols are being conducted on national and state highways, with suspicious vehicles being subjected to checks.
At the district level, standing committee meetings are held under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioners, and joint operations are carried out with the police and forest departments to curb excise-related offences.
The department is also conducting awareness programmes through Gram Sabhas and in schools and colleges to educate the public and students about the physical, mental and social health hazards associated with alcohol addiction and substance abuse, Timmapur added.
