Women villagers on outskirts of Bengaluru seek police intervention over rampant sale of liquor
Bengaluru: Women residents of Rajaghatta village, located on the outskirts of Bengaluru, have raised serious concerns over the unchecked sale of liquor in their locality, claiming it is wreaking havoc on families by pushing men into alcoholism and unemployment. The villagers, particularly women, have approached the police for immediate intervention.
The issue came to light during a Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes (SC/ST) grievance meeting conducted by the Bengaluru district police along with the ‘Mane Manege Police’ (door-to-door police service) on Sunday, as reported by The Hindu.
Lakshmamma, a resident speaking on behalf of the women in the village, highlighted to Superintendent of Police C.K. Baba that liquor shops in the area operate from as early as 6:00 a.m. and remain open until midnight or even later.
“This is posing a threat to the families, as the men get drunk early in the morning and do not go to work. Most of the families face a difficult situation due to the alcohol menace and it is pushing them into penury. Even grocery and vegetable shops have started stocking up liquor, making them accessible round the clock,” the newspaper quoted her as saying.
In response, SP Baba directed excise department officials to ensure liquor vendors strictly follow the timings prescribed in their licenses. He also instructed the jurisdictional police and excise department to conduct routine inspections to curb the illegal sale of alcohol in the region.
During the same meeting, a few students expressed distress over caste-based humiliation in schools. “We were mocked and called casteist names. The teachers and village elders are not doing anything despite being aware of this situation,” one student shared with the senior police officials.
Taking a serious view of the complaint, Baba instructed the Panchayat Development Officer and education department officials present to take immediate corrective measures to prevent such discriminatory practices, added the report.
Police officials also visited Dalit colonies, where they pasted posters displaying the names and contact numbers of police officers to be contacted for any help, aiming to reassure residents of their support.
Villagers were encouraged to work alongside law enforcement in maintaining peace and combating crime in the area.
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Cong leader Prithviraj Chavan defiant after facing verbal missiles on Op Sindoor remarks
Mumbai (PTI): Despite facing criticism, senior Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan on Wednesday stood by his controversial comments that India faced a "total defeat" in aerial fight with Pakistan on the first day of Operation Sindoor on May 7.
The former Union minister refused to apologise for his comments on the Indian military operation against terror hubs in Pakistan and PoK in aftermath of massacre of tourists at Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir in April.
Talking to reporters in Pune on Tuesday, Chavan claimed India faced a "total defeat in the aerial fight (with Pakistan) on May 7 which lasted for half-an-hour".
"One may believe this or not. After that the Indian Air Force got grounded and not a single aircraft took flight that day.... be it Gwalior, Bhatinda or Sirsa, there was a possibility of aircraft being shot down, so our complete Air Force was grounded," the former Maharashtra chief minister had said.
Hitting out at Chavan, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde accused the Congress of speaking the language of Pakistan. He said questioning the military action was akin to demoralising the morale of armed forces.
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"The criticism does not stem from the love of the nation, but love for Pakistan," said the chief leader of the Shiv Sena, a key constituent of the BJP-led NDA.
Chavan, however, remained defiant.
"There is no question of apologising. The Constitution has given me the right to ask questions," the Congress veteran asserted.
Chavan also questioned the need of having a 12-lakh strong Army when future wars will be about aerial combats and missiles. "During Operation Sindoor we saw that there was no movement of the Army even for a kilometre," he had said.
BJP Lok Sabha MP and spokesperson Sambit Patra said Chavan's remarks are loaded with sedition.
"He (Chavan) has refused to apologise. The Indian armed forces struck 100 kms inside the Pakistan territory and destroyed 11 air strips (of the Pakistani Air Force). He made remarks that the Indian Army did not even move an inch (during the military operation). This is nothing but a statement full of sedition, a statement of a traitor," Patra said, lashing out at the Congress leader.
The BJP spokesperson maintained the Congress appears to be standing with Chavan and alleged the Opposition party is playing into foreign hands.
Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra should apologise for it, he added.
Union minister Giriraj Singh of the BJP insisted it was not right to devalue the valour of Indian armed forces.
Samajwadi Party MP Virendra Singh suggested that wherever armed forces are concerned, every Indian should be mindful of statements they make and ensure their comments do not demoralise the military.
Operation Sindoor was a result of "mistakes of politicians", he claimed.
TDP MP Krishna Devraylu said after the poll defeat in Bihar, the Congress is rattled and their leaders have been talking absurdly.
"Chavan's remarks are a prime example of this. This kind of disrespect to our armed forces is not necessary. If the Congress is angry with the NDA, it should show it in a different way and not drag armed forces into it," Devraylu opined.
AAP MP Ashok Mittal said such statements should not be made by any senior politician, especially by someone who has been a former chief minister.
The Indian armed forces registered a strong victory and destroyed terror launchpads in Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, Mittal added.
