Home Minister says vehicles wrongly parked in B'luru to be towed; shop-keepers glad, people worried
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Bengaluru: Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara’s announcement on Tuesday that wrongfully parked vehicles would be towed to handle traffic congestion in the city drew mixed response from the people, with shop-keepers welcoming the move but citizens expressing concern.
Shop owners in various parts of the city, including Brigade Road, Commercial Street and Malleswaram, have welcomed the government decision.
Residents, however, are recollecting cases of vehicles being damaged and the owners of the towed vehicles being harassed by authorities prior to a ban on towing in 2022. They are also worried about mistreatment by traffic police officers while forcibly towing the vehicles, according to a report in Deccan Herald.
A resident of Nagarbhavi recalled that her four-wheeler was towed away from Indiranagar in 2021 and returned with scratches on the front door and a broken side-view mirror. The owner added that the police not only insisted that the damage existed prior to the towing but also refused to listen to her arguments.
Recalling the rude behavior of police officers, another vehicle owner said that the police officials who got her two-wheeler towed from Infantry Road told her that the vehicle was on Dickenson Road. When she went to Dickenson Road, however, she met a very rude officer. She added that the officer insisted that she bring her parents or husband, although she was an adult, to get her two-wheeler back. The officer also demanded a bribe, but withdrew when the people around noticed his behavior and questioned him about the matter.
Other owners have complained that their vehicles were returned with punctured tyres as the police dragged the vehicles across the road.
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Veteran Tamil film producer Rajan dies after jumping into Adyar River
Chennai (PTI): Veteran Tamil film producer K Rajan died after jumping into the Adyar River in the city on Sunday, police said.
Police said it appears to be a case of suicide, though the reason for his extreme step was not immediately known.
The 85-year-old film personality asked his driver to stop the car while crossing the Adyar bridge and suddenly got out and jumped into the river, police sources said.
The driver immediately alerted Fire and Rescue Services personnel, who reached the spot, recovered the body, and sent it for post-mortem.
Police have registered a case, and further investigation is underway.
Rajan entered the Tamil film industry as a producer in the early 1980s. Apart from producing films, he also directed a few movies.
He also served as president of a film distributors’ association.
Top leaders of political parties, including the two Dravidian majors—the DMK and AIADMK—expressed shock and grief over his death and conveyed their condolences to the bereaved family.
Former Chief Minister and DMK President M K Stalin said Rajan had always boldly raised his voice for the welfare of small film producers and the overall development of the film industry.
“He had always urged that Tamil films be titled in Tamil,” Stalin said in a statement, adding that Rajan consistently fought for the rights of ordinary workers in the film industry.
AIADMK general secretary and former Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami said Rajan’s voice was important in securing recognition for small-budget films in the Tamil film industry.
Among others who condoled his death was PMK founder S Ramadoss. Leaders from various parties also expressed their condolences to the bereaved family.
“This is terrible news. Deeply shocked to hear about the demise of our beloved member of the film fraternity, producer K Rajan sir,” actor and BJP leader Khushbu Sundar said in a post on social media platform X.
“He was a very respectful person and someone who never hesitated to call a spade a spade. This is very upsetting. May his soul rest in peace,” she added.
