Don't brand our villages naxal-affected, plead residents

[email protected] (CD Network)
August 3, 2011

naxal

Udupi, August 3: The failure of district administration in reaching out to the naxal prone areas and people in remote areas was evident in the 'Janasamparka Sabhe' (public contact programme) jointly organised by District Police Department, District Administration and Forest Department here at Sri Kodamanitthaya Temple Auditorium on Andaru-Ajekaru road on Tuesday.

The programme threw light on various problems encountered by the public in the area. Despite the repeated assurances by the government to provide necessary basic infrastructural amenities to the public under various naxal packages, there seems to be some unidentified distractions to pass on the facilities to the beneficiaries.

The members of the public gathered in the programme had one or the other reason to express their unhappiness towards the incompetence of government in providing them with surety of livelihood. Incomplete development projects, unemployment, poverty, title deeds, illiteracy, ill health, inadequate medical and educational facilities, bad roads and many more topped the list of the nightmares involved in the lives of people of naxal affected areas.

Residents of Nellikatte, Nadpalu in Karkala taluk urged the government not to tag their villages 'naxal-affected' areas instead provide them with basic infrastructure.

Venkatesh Shetty of Nadpalu village said it is a hell for the people of Nadpalu village. The area is a hub of problems. The government representatives and officials offer pledges that are restricted only to the paper and are far from reality. Irregular educational facilities with the absence of teachers in schools, lack of medical facilities, absence of power supply and telephone connections have remained the same over the years.

Existing roads are in deplorable conditions, there are no connective roads and bridges for small rivulets. Children find it difficult to cross the rivulets to attend schools, he said.

He also expressed fear that whether Nadpalu area is tagged under World Heritage Site status by UNESCO. This will hinder the development process in the area, he added.

Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Commissioner Dr M T Reju said it is not possible for the government to handle all the necessary development measures without public cooperation. He said public should not wait for the approval from the government if the work can be done by them. The government is by the people and people should come forward to be part of governing process, he added.

He assured to set right the loopholes of administrative mechanism in performing the duties of offering safe livelihood for public in the area. Measures will be taken to repair the existing roads and construct the roads and bridges wherever necessary in the areas of Megadde, Shirlalu, Nadpalu, Nelikatte and Kudlu following the demands by the villagers of the respective areas.

The works will be taken under Calamity Relief Fund, he added. Reju also assured to send a proposal to the government for 108 Ambulance under certain relaxations for Hebri region. He said arrangements will be done to give away the title deeds to the received applications by the people belonging to ST communities residing in the forest land, he added.

SP Dr Y S Ravi Kumar said the programme is held under the integrated approach of all the departments.

Attempts are made to bring the people of naxal prone areas to the mainstream of society. Especially measures are taken to rehabilitate those who have turned away from naxalism and are trying to lead normal life in the society.

The work is taken up by the intelligence of police department. Special naxal package and naxal surrender packages are offered to them. “We are trying to rehabilitate youth who have education with suitable employment packages. Anti Naxal Force is active in the area and regular combing operations are held. Police stations in the naxal affected areas will be strengthened with additional force within one month,” he added.

IGP (Western Range) Alok Mohan said police department is deeply involved with the development and security of people in the naxal inflicted areas. Measures will be taken accordingly, he said.


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News Network
November 26,2024

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Bengaluru: The Janata Dal (Secular) is grappling with its most tumultuous political crisis yet, with speculation rife about imminent defections among its lawmakers. This storm comes in the aftermath of party scion Nikhil Kumaraswamy's humiliating defeat in the Channapatna bypoll—his third consecutive electoral loss after setbacks in Mandya (2019) and Ramanagara (2023). With the regional party’s Assembly tally shrinking to 18 from 19, questions are being raised about its survival.

The murmurs of rebellion were amplified on Monday when Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao and Congress MLA CP Yogeshwar openly hinted at possible desertions within the JD(S) ranks. Yogeshwar, newly elected from Channapatna, declared he could orchestrate a migration of JD(S) MLAs to Congress. “I’ll meet them at the Belagavi session. Within a month, they’ll be in Congress,” he confidently stated during a televised interview. Yogeshwar has a history of engineering defections, having played a pivotal role in the collapse of the JD(S)-Congress coalition government in 2019 during his stint with the BJP.

Dinesh Gundu Rao, not mincing words, slammed the JD(S) leadership for fostering "self-serving politics," criticizing the HD Deve Gowda family for failing to nurture party talent. “There’s no trust. Their MLAs will seek survival—either in BJP or Congress,” he remarked.

Meanwhile, the expelled JD(S) state president CM Ibrahim added fuel to the fire by claiming that 12-13 MLAs are "disillusioned" with the current leadership. Speculations around senior JD(S) leader GT Deve Gowda joining Congress have also intensified. DK Shivakumar, Karnataka’s Deputy CM and Congress president, described GT Deve Gowda as a “valuable leader” who might be frustrated with the party’s internal dynamics.

While Congress leaders seem eager to poach JD(S) legislators, the BJP is not far behind in targeting the floundering party. The situation signals a decisive moment for the JD(S), as its survival now hinges on how it manages this brewing storm of discontent.

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News Network
November 26,2024

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Former minister and ex-MLC C M Ibrahim claimed that he still heads the original JD(S) and asked former prime minister and party supremo H D Deve Gowda to cut ties with the BJP, so that the party can be strengthened again. He also said options are being explored to either strengthen the JD(S) or to float a new regional party.

He was speaking to media persons, in Mysuru, on Monday, after meeting JD(S) MLA and former minister G T Deve Gowda, who has expressed his displeasure that he has been sidelined in the party and the party leaders have indicated his retirement from politics.

He stated, “If Deve Gowda had joined the Congress, during the last Assembly election, he would have been a minister now. We retained him in the JD(S), to strengthen the party. Now, efforts are being made to strangulate Deve Gowda’s political career. I have discussed all matters with Deve Gowda. In two days, I will start a Karnataka state tour and meet some leaders. After that, I will meet Deve Gowda again, and then decide on the further course of action.”

Ibrahim said, “The original JD(S) is ours. I am still its state president. All documents and accounts are in our name. Even now, if Deve Gowda leaves BJP’s company and returns, we will build the JD(S) again”.

“Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy should mend his ways and stop making JD(S) into a family-owned company. The JD(S)’s situation has become hopeless. Its love for the BJP is over. He should understand this,” he said.

“When I was with Kumaraswamy, he spent just Rs 4 crore in Channapatna and won by 20,000 votes. Now, without me, he spent Rs 150 crore and still lost by 25,000 votes. Without Muslims’ support, the JD(S) cannot win a single seat. Now, it is proved that 19 MLAs of the JD(S) won in 2023, because of Muslims,” he added.

Speaking on other options available, Ibrahim said, “We have not yet decided to go with the Congress. We are only considering to establish a third front. Whether it is founding a new regional party, forming a third front, or strengthening the JD(S), will be decided shortly.”

Earlier during the day, before meeting Deve Gowda, Ibrahim had said, that 12 to 13 JD(S) MLAs were dissatisfied with the party, but like Deve Gowda, were enduring pain.

“Now, I have started the task of uniting them. I as the JD(S) state president, it is my responsibility to address our MLAs’ grievances. At present, the JD(S) is on fire and all JD(S) MLAs want to protect their respective constituency. Hence, they have started speaking one by one,” he said.

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News Network
November 13,2024

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In the heart of Mangaluru, where rising air pollution is spurring public health worries, voices are calling for a greener, cleaner shift in the city’s public transport. Leading this call is APD Foundation, a Mangaluru-based environmental NGO, which has urged Forest, Ecology, and Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre to mandate electric vehicle (EV) adoption in public transport.

Abdullah A Rehman, CEO of APD Foundation, emphasized in a formal letter to the minister that Mangaluru’s public transportation system—efficient and organized with both government and private players—could transition smoothly to EVs in stages. He suggested that government-backed financial incentives, partnerships with EV manufacturers, and collaborations with environmental groups could streamline the switch.

Rehman stressed the potential of EVs to cut down emissions, enhance air quality, and reduce noise levels, noting the quieter operation of electric buses. He confirmed that a copy of his letter was submitted to the Deputy Commissioner as well.

However, Dilraj Alva from the Dakshina Kannada City Bus Association noted potential challenges, explaining that the shift might take up to two years due to infrastructure and budget hurdles. Most EV buses, he explained, are procured through aggregators, not directly by individual operators. The addition of charging stations and other essential infrastructure further complicates the transition.

Alva also raised the economic concern: while diesel buses are priced between ₹30-40 lakh, electric buses can cost up to ₹1 crore. Reflecting on recent meetings with companies, including one in Manipal, he questioned the assumption that EVs are an absolute solution to pollution. “EVs aren’t entirely eco-friendly, especially when considering battery disposal,” he cautioned.

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