Bengaluru: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Saturday reaffirmed that the Hemavathi Express Link Canal project will not be halted, stating that nearly 40 percent of the work has already been completed.
Speaking to reporters at the Vidhana Soudha in response to mounting protests against the project, Shivakumar maintained that the government is committed to safeguarding the interests of all farmers. “Those who are protesting are our farmers, and those here are also our farmers. We will ensure justice for everyone,” he said.
Responding to criticism from BJP MLAs Suresh Gowda and Krishnappa, Shivakumar pointed out that both leaders were already aware of the canal project and are now opposing it for unclear reasons. “They knew about the project from the beginning. It’s surprising that they are now raising objections,” he remarked.
When asked about Union Minister V. Somanna’s letter concerning the issue, Shivakumar replied, “He’s a senior leader and a Union Minister. We will definitely seek his guidance.”
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Gayaji (PTI): A woman here has alleged that she was gang-raped inside an ambulance which drove her to a hospital after she fainted during a government recruitment test, police said on Saturday.
Two persons, identified by the complainant who had appeared at a recruitment drive for home guards, have been arrested, they said.
"When the woman fainted, on July 24, she was rushed to the Anugrah Narain Medical College and Hospital at Gayaji in an ambulance. After she regained consciousness, she alleged that she was raped inside the vehicle," said SP (Town), Gayaji Ramanand Kumar Kaushal.
"We thereafter detained the driver and a technician who were in the ambulance. The woman also identified them. Their reply was not satisfactory, so they were arrested and booked under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Samhita," he added.
Kaushal said the medical examination of the complainant has been completed, and based on the findings of the reports, further action will be taken.
Meanwhile, the incident drew strong criticism from Union minister Chirag Paswan, who supports the NDA government in the state, as well as the opposition.
Before leaving for Gayaji to address a rally, Paswan told reporters in Patna, "The incident is deplorable. The guilty may have been caught, but the administration is obviously unable to prevent such crimes. The situation is scary, and I regret that I am supporting a regime that is incapable of controlling law and order."
Leader of the opposition in the state assembly, Tejashwi Yadav, shared on X a news clipping of the incident with the hashtag "vote out of power the Nitish Kumar government to protect the girl child (Nitish sarkar Hatao beti bachao).
The RJD leader also alleged that Bihar was under the "rule of demons (rakshas raj)" and accused Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and "his two so-called deputies" of a "criminal silence" on such incidents.
State Congress president Rajesh Kumar alleged, "The incident at Gayaji is reflective of a collapse in law and order, which is not surprising given the unruly behaviour of the ruling dispensation as witnessed in the recently held assembly session. Our party is committed to ensuring that the girl gets justice."