Virajpet: In an incident from Virajpet in Kodagu district, a Kerala-based journalist, Rijaz, has claimed that police detained him without following legal procedures and subjected him to an investigation. Rijaz made these serious allegations on social media on Wednesday evening.

Rijaz, who was traveling on a bus with tribals to their settlement, claimed that three police officers in a private car stopped the bus in a remote area and asked him to come with them without showing any warrant.

After a few minutes of argument, the police allegedly forced him into the car and took him to the Virajpet police station for questioning, as stated by the journalist on his Instagram story.

After the investigation was completed, the police released him.

Upon his release, Rijaz shared on Instagram, “Just now I got out of station. Adivasis came to station. Circle Inspector Anoop interrogated me in presence of other 4 officers. He said that since yesterday evening, he had received many calls from superiors and informants claiming that an urban Naxal from Kochi had come to Karnataka to organize. During the interrogation, I told him that I was here to report on the violence faced by Adivasi laborers at the hands of dominant caste employers. When asked why someone from Kerala was here, I replied that since mainstream media weren't reporting on the issue, I had volunteered to come and report on it. During our conversation about the delayed government relief for Adivasis, I quoted, "Justice delayed is justice denied." The inspector responded by saying that i'm speaking like a Naxal. He also mentioned that there's a case against me in Delhi, which I wasn't aware of,” said Rijaz.

Rijaz further alleged that Suresh Bilgeri, a journalist from Times Now, is among those opposing him.

Rijaz also mentioned in another post, “The problem is not of my freedom being violated and me being red tagged. The problem is Adivasi labourers not being allowed to meet anyone from outside.”

The Adivasi Sangarsha Samiti Morcha organized a protest in front of the Taluk office in Virajpet on Wednesday, demanding a 20 lakh rupees compensation for the family of the late Pani Eravara Ponnanna, who was killed in a brutal attack. The committee also called for government employment for his wife. Rijaz was in Karnataka to report on this protest.

Reacting to the allegations, Circle Inspector Anoop of Virajpet stated, “It is true that we questioned Rijaz to understand the identity of an outsider. The allegations made by him and his social media posts have been brought to the attention of senior officials,” he informed.

On December 27th, Pani Eravara Ponnanna, a tribal worker, was shot and killed by the owner of a plantation while he was with his wife in the nearby field.

In response, the Adivasi Sangarsha Samiti Morcha held a protest in front of the Taluk office, condemning the inhuman act and demanding justice. The committee also raised concerns about the severe living conditions of the tribal workers who have been deprived of basic facilities, education, healthcare, and decent employment.

They urged the government to take serious measures to address these issues, provide proper compensation to the family, and ensure the speedy completion of the investigation into the murder. The committee also emphasised that the government should take action against the atrocities faced by the tribal community.

In response to the petition, Virajpet Taluk Tahsildar Ramachandra Mathanadi assured, "We stand with you. The accused will certainly be punished under the law. A compensation of 8.25 lakh rupees has been approved, and half of it will be given to the wife and the mother of the deceased. The wife, who is under 18, will receive a government job after she turns 18. The Welfare Department will provide the necessary facilities for the Scheduled Tribes. Arrangements have been made for the deceased's brother to receive education at a residential school. The petition will be forwarded to the government through the Deputy Commissioner."

AICC-TCU State President Appanna, State Committee Vice-President K.E. Mohan, State General Secretary Clifton Rozario, District Secretary Gauri, District Joint Secretary Bolka Appanna, District Committee Member Gappu, and District President of the Dakshina Kannada chapter Ramanna Vitla spoke at the event, addressing the protesters. Virajpet Taluk President M.K. Mohan and others were also present.

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Seoul (AP): South Korea's Constitutional Court removed impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol from office on Friday, ending his tumultuous presidency and setting up an election to find a new leader, four months after he threw South Korean politics into turmoil with an ill-fated declaration of martial law.

The unanimous verdict capped a dramatic fall for Yoon, a former star prosecutor who went from political novice to president in 2022, just a year after he entered politics.

In a nationally televised verdict, the court's acting chief Moon Hyung-bae said the eight-member bench upheld Yoon's impeachment because his martial law decree seriously violated the constitution and other laws.

“The defendant not only declared martial law, but also violated the constitution and laws by mobilizing military and police forces to obstruct the exercise of legislative authority,” Moon said, “Ultimately, the declaration of martial law in this case violated the substantive requirements for emergency martial law.”

“Given the grave negative impact on constitutional order and the significant ripple effects of the defendant's violations, we find that the benefits of upholding the constitution by removing the defendant from office far outweigh the national losses from the removal of a president,” the justice concluded.

Protesters erupt in jubilation and sorrow

At an anti-Yoon rally near the old royal palace that dominates downtown Seoul, people erupted into tears and danced when the verdict was announced. Two women wept as they hugged and an old man near them leapt to his feet and screamed with joy.

The crowd later began marching through Seoul streets. Some people were dressed in cute blue bear costumes, a protest mascot that uses the opposition's colours.

Outside Yoon's official residence, thousands of supporters cried and screamed when they saw the news of the verdict on a giant TV screen. They waved South Korean and U.S. flags and chanted slogans.

“We will absolutely not be shaken!” a protest leader shouted on stage. “Anyone who accepts this ruling and prepares for an early presidential election is our enemy.”

No major violence was immediately reported.

Korea faces an election with deep divisions

An election will be held within two months to repalce Yoon, but a festering national divide over Yoon's impeachment will likely continue and could complicate South Korea's efforts to deal with President Donald Trump's “America First” policies and North Korea's expanding ties with Russia, observers say.

One of Yoon's lawyers, Yoon Kap-keun, called the ruling “completely incomprehensible” and a “pure political decision,” but the former president did not immediately issue a statement. Yoon's ruling People Power Party said it would accept the decision.

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, the country's acting leader, in a televised speech vowed to ensure “there are no gaps in national security and diplomacy” and maintain public safety and order. Han was appointed prime minister, the country's No.2 official, by Yoon.

“Respecting the will of our sovereign people, I will do my utmost to manage the next presidential election in accordance with the constitution and the law, ensuring a smooth transition to the next administration,” Han said.

Surveys show Lee Jae-myung, leader of the main liberal opposition Democratic Party, is the early favorite to win the by-election to choose Yoon's successor. Lee is facing trials for corruption and other charges.

Lee welcomed the ruling and credited the South Korean people for “protecting our democratic republic.”

“The courage of the people who stood in the face of guns, swords and tanks, along with the bravery of troops who refused to obey unjust orders, has led to this great revolution of light,” Lee said.

Crisis started with a night of chaos four months ago

Martial law lasted only six hours, but left behind a political crisis, rattling financial markets and unsettling the country's diplomatic partners. In January, Yoon was separately arrested and indicted by prosecutors on alleged rebellion in connection with his decree, a charge that carries the death penalty or a life sentence if convicted.

Under Yoon's decree, the first of its kind in more than 40 years, hundreds of soldiers were dispatched to the assembly, election offices and other sites. Special operations soldiers smashed windows at the National Assembly and scuffled with citizens gathered to protest, shocking South Koreans and evoking traumatic memories of military rule.

Enough lawmakers, including some from the ruling party, managed to enter the assembly to vote down his decree unanimously.

No major violence occurred during the brief period of martial law, but some senior military and police officers sent to the assembly have testified that Yoon ordered them to drag out lawmakers to block a vote on his decree or to detain his political rivals. Yoon says the troops were deployed to the assembly simply to maintain order.

Yoon, 64, a conservative, was impeached by the liberal opposition-controlled National Assembly on Dec. 14. The assembly accused him of violating the constitution and other laws by suppressing assembly activities, attempting to detain politicians, and undermining peace across the country.

In his final testimony at the Constitutional Court hearing, Yoon said his decree was a desperate attempt to draw public support of his fight against the “wickedness” of the Democratic Party, which had obstructed his agenda, impeached top officials and slashed the government's budget bill. He earlier called the National Assembly “a den of criminals” and “anti-state forces.”

Yoon still faces criminal charges

Some experts say Yoon may have imposed military rule to head off a possible independent investigation into scandals involving his wife, Kim Keon Hee.

Without presidential immunity, Yoon could face other criminal charges, such as abuse of power. He's the first South Korean president to be arrested or indicted while in office.

Yoon served as prosecutor-general under his predecessor, liberal President Moon Jae-in, before joining the now-ruling party in 2021 following disputes with Moon allies. A public image as strong-minded and uncompromising helped him defeat Lee in the close-fought 2022 presidential election. But after becoming president, Yoon has faced criticism that he refused to replace officials implicated in scandals and vetoed many bills passed by the assembly.

On foreign policy, Yoon pushed hard to bolster South Korea's military alliance with the United States and overcome long-running disputes with Japan over historical traumas. He said that a greater Seoul-Washington-Tokyo security partnership is essential to coping with North Korea's growing nuclear threats. Critics of Yoon accused him of unnecessarily provoking North Korea and neglecting relations with China, South Korea's biggest trading partner.