Karnataka Governor cancels all events until August 29 amid heightened security
Bengaluru: Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot has canceled all scheduled events until August 29, following intelligence reports that prompted a significant increase in his security measures. The Governor, who usually does not use a bulletproof vehicle, was seen using one on Wednesday, a reflection of the rising tensions between the ruling Congress party and the Governor’s office.
Governor Gehlot's decision to abstain from public events outside Raj Bhavan led to his absence from the inaugural convocation ceremony of Nrupatunga University on Wednesday. According to sources close to the Governor, intelligence inputs suggested that a section of students might protest during the convocation, leading to his decision to skip the event.
The move comes amidst ongoing protests by Congress leaders and ministers, who are demonstrating against the Governor’s decision to sanction the prosecution of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. During a rally at Freedom Park in Bengaluru, Housing Minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan warned that the state’s peace could be disrupted if the Governor continued to act in what they perceive as a partisan manner. Congress MLC Ivan D’Souza further escalated tensions by suggesting that Congress workers might force Gehlot out of Raj Bhavan, drawing parallels with the unrest in Bangladesh that led to the ouster of Sheikh Hasina.
A senior official revealed that the Governor is entitled to Z+ security, which includes the use of a bulletproof car, although Gehlot had not used this vehicle since assuming office last July.
Home Minister G Parameshwara, when informed of the increased security measures, including the use of the bulletproof car, stated that he was unaware of any direct threats to the Governor. He noted that heightened security is often a standard procedure based on intelligence reports, especially during significant events like Independence Day.
Parameshwara also distanced himself from the inflammatory remarks made by Ivan D’Souza, asserting that such language is inappropriate for protests, though he declined to take legal action against the Congress MLC.
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Student killed, several injured as school picnic bus overturns
Nagpur (PTI): A student was killed and several students and teachers were injured as the bus carrying them to a picnic spot overturned near here on Tuesday morning, police said.
The accident took place when students and teachers of Saraswati High School in Shankar Nagar area here were heading for a picnic spot in neighbouring Wardha district in five buses.
One of the buses, with some 50 persons on board, overturned near Deoli Pendhari village on Hingani Road in a hilly section on the outskirts of the city, said an official of Hingna police station.
The deceased boy was a Class 7 student, he said, without disclosing the name. A girl and a teacher sustained severe injuries and were rushed to the All India Institute Of Medical Sciences, Nagpur, while others were taken to a nearby rural hospital.
Investigation is underway to determine the cause of the accident, police said.
