Karnataka govt pays compensation to families of minority victims of communal violence
The victims were earlier left out from getting compensation by BJP govt
Bengaluru: The Congress-led government in Karnataka provided compensation of Rs 25 lakhs each to six families who lost their loved ones in incidents of communal violence in the state. The Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah, personally handed over the cheques to the family members during a ceremony held on Monday, emphasizing that his government aimed to rectify what he described as the anti-Constitutional policies of the previous Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) regime.
Addressing reporters after the event, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah reiterated that the government's responsibility was to serve all citizens without favoritism based on caste or religion. He criticized the BJP government's alleged discriminatory practices, which he claimed neglected the families of Muslim victims of communal violence. During his tenure as an opposition leader, Siddaramaiah had voiced his opposition to what he considered the BJP's divisive and discriminatory politics. He stated that his government had taken steps to rectify the previous administration's alleged discrimination.
Furthermore, Siddaramaiah asserted that strict action would be taken against religious fanatics, individuals engaged in immoral policing, and those who incite violence based on caste or religion. He emphasized that law enforcement agencies had been directed to handle such cases firmly.
The compensation was granted to the families of Masood from Kalanja village in Dakshina Kannada district (killed on July 17, 2022), Idris Pasha from Guttalu colony in Mandya (killed on March 31, 2023), Mohammad Fazil from Mangalapete near Mangaluru (killed on July 28, 2022), Shameer from Nargund in Gadag district (killed on January 17, 2022), Abdul Jaleel from Katipalla in Dakshina Kannada district (killed on December 24, 2022), and Deepak Rao, also from Katipalla (killed on January 3, 2018).
The compensation was disbursed from the Chief Minister's relief fund, aiming to provide some financial assistance to the grieving families. It is worth noting that the previous BJP government had not granted compensation, which had sparked controversy as no representatives from the party or government had reached out to the victims' families.
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Another North Goa nightclub sealed; Kejriwal says corruption led to fire tragedy
Panaji (PTI): As part of a crackdown against tourist establishments violating laws and safety norms in the aftermath of the Arpora fire tragedy, Goa authorities on Saturday sealed a renowned club at Vagator and revoked the fire department NOC of another club.
Cafe CO2 Goa, located on a cliff overlooking the Arabian Sea at Vagator beach in North Goa, was sealed. The move came two days after Goya Club, also in Vagator, was shut down for alleged violations of rules.
Elsewhere, campaigning for local body polls, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal said the fire incident at Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub at Arpora, which claimed 25 lives on December 6, happened because the BJP government in the state was corrupt.
An inspection of Cafe CO2 Goa by a state government-appointed team revealed that the establishment, with a seating capacity of 250, did not possess a no-objection certificate (NOC) of the Fire and Emergency Services Department. The club, which sits atop Ozrant Cliff, also did not have structural stability, the team found.
The Fire and Emergency Services on Saturday also revoked the NOC issued to Diaz Pool Club and Bar at Anjuna as the fire extinguishers installed in the establishment were found to be inadequate, said divisional fire officer Shripad Gawas.
A notice was issued to Nitin Wadhwa, the partner of the club, he said in the order.
Campaigning at Chimbel village near Panaji in support of his party's Zilla Panchayat election candidate, Aam Aadmi Party leader Kejriwal said the nightclub fire at Arpora happened because of the "corruption of the Pramod Sawant-led state government."
"Why this fire incident happened? I read in the newspapers that the nightclub had no occupancy certificate, no building licence, no excise licence, no construction licence or trade licence. The entire club was illegal but still it was going on," he said.
"How could it go on? Couldn't Pramod Sawant or anyone else see it? I was told that hafta (bribe) was being paid," the former Delhi chief minister said.
A person can not work without bribing officials in the coastal state, Kejriwal said, alleging that officers, MLAs and even ministers are accepting bribes.
