Mangaluru police action excessive, targeted Muslims: Fact-finding report on Dec 19 events

CAA

In the report, the activists called for a judicial inquiry to be conducted into the police firing and the police action at Highland Hospital, where the victims of the firing were taken to.

Prajwal Bhat

File image of Mangaluru police firing at protesters

An interim fact-finding report on the anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protest and subsequent police firing in Mangaluru on December 19 found that police action "was excessive, biased and specifically targeted the Muslim community." The report was compiled by a group of human rights and civil liberty activists from Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and New Delhi belonging to the All India People's Forum (AIPF), People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) and National Confederation of Human Rights Organisations (NCHRO).  In the report, the activists called for a judicial inquiry to be conducted into the police firing and the police action at Highland Hospital, where the victims of the firing were taken to. They also called for the suspension of Mangaluru Police Commissioner PS Harsha and urged the state government to provide compensation of Rs 10 lakh for the victims' families.  The report recounted the sequence of events that led to the police opening fire on protesters in Mangaluru on December 19. An initial protest outside the Deputy Commissioner's office was quelled by tear gas and lathicharge by the police since protesters had defied prohibitory orders under section 144 of the CrPC.  Read: Mangaluru police firing deaths: A timeline of what happened on December 19 However, the fact-finding team alleged that the police infuriated the Muslim community by selectively targeting shops and mosques. "At around 4 pm, a team of police attacked Ibrahim Khaleel mosque where about 80 persons were praying peacefully. The police apparently sought to chase certain youth into the said mosque and then initiated an indiscriminate attack upon the mosque. The police launched an attack of stones and teargas through and above the slats of the mosque gate, causing havoc and confusion," alleges the report.  The Ibrahim Khaleel mosque is located on Nellikai Road, which is 450 metres away from the Mangaluru North (Bunder) police station where the police personnel opened fire on protesters.  The report goes on to add that "the police began indiscriminate firing of guns and teargas" on Azizuddin Road outside the Mangaluru North (Bunder) Police Station at 4:30 pm. Two people were killed due to the police firing. Abdul Jaleel, 42 and Nausheen, 23, were shot in the eye and midriff respectively.  The victims were daily-wage labourers working in Mangaluru. Their families were denied compensation of Rs 10 lakh which was initially announced by the state government. An FIR registered at the Mangaluru North (Bunder) police station accuses them of rioting.  Read: Lack of tear gas led to police firing? Cops, witnesses divided on Mangaluru firing deaths The fact-finding team also raised questions over the police action at Highland Hospital, where the victims of the police firing were taken to. "After Jaleel and Nausheen were declared dead on arrival at Highland Hospital, the police was called so that the bodies could be handed over to them as these were Medico Legal Cases (MLC). The police upon arrival at the hospital were faced by an angry group of mourners, who pelted stones at the police outside the hospital. The police engaged in lathicharge outside the hospital," read the report.  "They did not stop there. The police then fired tear gas within the hospital compound and proceeded to storm the hospital. They tried to barge into patient rooms including the ICU. At least three patients who were admitted there prior to December 19th were adversely affected due to this. The health of two patients who were admitted with respiratory issues deteriorated and had to be shifted to the ICU and one of them was put on a ventilator," the report added.  The team spoke to the families of the victims of police firing, shopkeepers near the State Bank of India and other areas in Bunder, officials at the Ibrahim Khaleel mosque, met the administration of Highland Hospital, District Medical Officer, of Wenlock Hospital Dr Rajeshwari Devi, Assistant Commissioner Madan Mohan, and Commissioner of Police PS Harsha.   Following the violent incidents, a curfew was imposed in Dakshina Kannada district for three days while mobile internet services were suspended in the district for two days. Police officials in Mangaluru attempted to justify their actions by posting videos of protesters pelting stones on December 19 in different parts of Mangaluru. However, other videos have emerged showing police firing at protesters from a distance and discussing why “no one has fallen dead”.  

Body 2: 

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/2Qm3zlz
via IFTTT

PM Modi inaugurates Indian Science Congress in Bengaluru: List of traffic diversions

Traffic

This is the third time Bengaluru is hosting the Science Congress, after 1987 and 2002.

TNM Staff

The Bengaluru Traffic Police issued a traffic diversion notice for Friday on account of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Bengaluru. The Prime Minister, who is in his two-day trip to Karnataka, inaugurated the 107th Indian Science Congress at the University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS) on Friday. On account of the same, commuters have been advised to avoid certain routes as they would be partially restricted or fully closed till around 3 pm on Friday. The routes that will be partially or fully closed during the time the Prime Minister is in Bengaluru are —  LH Road, Palace Road, T Chowdaiah Road, Ramana Maharshi Road, Bellary Road (till Yelahanka Airport Station), Race Course Road, Hare Krishna Road, Nehru Circle, SC Road, Sampige Road, Sir CV Raman Road, New BEL Road, Lakshmipura Road, Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan Road, and Doddaballapur Road. About 15,000 delegates, including two Nobel Laureates and eminent scientists from across India and abroad, are attending the mega 5-day event at the University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS), which is hosting the annual event.  This is the third time Bengaluru is hosting the Science Congress after 1987 and 2002. This is the fourth occasion that Karnataka is hosting the event; the 103rd session was held in Mysuru on January 3, 2016. This year, as the event is being held at an agriculture university, the focal theme of the congress is "Science and Technology: Rural Development", ostensibly to bridge the gap between urban and rural India and improving the quality of farmers' life through science and technology. The national jamboree will cover 14 sectors in contemporary science, with concurrent sub-events like Women's Science Congress, Children's Science Congress, Science Communicators; Meet and Farmer's Science Congress. For the first time, the Farmer's Science Congress on January 6 will provide a forum to ryots across the country to interact, share their experiences, success, failures and showcase their innovative techniques/methods developed and followed by them in farming. (IANS inputs)

Body 2: 

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/2ttwqex
via IFTTT

Anti-CAA protest in Bengaluru pushed to 2pm as PM Modi set to leave city

Protest

The Prime Minister will leave Bengaluru after inaugurating the Indian Science Congress at Gandhi Krishi Vignana Kendra on Friday.

TNM Staff

'Hum Bharat Ke Log', a collective of citizen groups in Bengaluru, had sought the necessary permission to hold a protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC). The protest was scheduled for 12 pm on Friday at Town Hall. However, on Thursday evening, the protesters were told by the Bengaluru police to postpone their protest by two hours. Incidentally, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was on a two-day visit to Karnataka, is scheduled to leave Bengaluru at noon on Friday.  According to the organisers, a police personnel will be deployed as part of the PM's departure from Bengaluru. "We have been informed that the permission will now only be given from 2 pm to 4 pm, which is subsequent to Modi leaving. This is a clear indication of the fear that the state has to face the dissent and resistance of its people,” an organiser of the protest said.  “We have decided to reschedule our protest to 2 pm. We will keep in mind the fact that our unity and strength is being recognised by the state, which is being forced to resort to coercive measures to suppress our voices,” the organiser added.  The protest on Friday has been planned to honour Savitribai Phule, the social reformer and poet, on her birth anniversary. “Our intention is, and has always been, to peacefully protest against the unconstitutional actions of the state, keeping in mind Savitribai Phule, whose contribution has helped mould today's India," the organiser added.  Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Karnataka for a two-day visit on Thursday. He addressed a gathering at the Siddaganga Mutt in Tumakuru on Thursday. He is set to inaugurate the Indian Science Congress at Gandhi Krishi Vignana Kendra (University of Agricultural Sciences) on Friday. Bengaluru has been witnessing numerous anti-CAA protests since December 14, with fresh protests planned for Sunday.  Meanwhile, as anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protesters took a break on Thursday, students belonging to the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) — the student wing of RSS — took out a rally in Bengaluru in support of the controversial citizenship law on Thursday, when as the PM was in Tumukuru.  Over 1,500 students from colleges in and around Malleswaram took to the streets, shouting slogans like "nation power, ABVP Zindabad", in support of CAA. The rally started from the 18th Cross Corporation Playground.  Harsha Narayan, national secretary of ABVP and the organiser of the rally, said that those who took part in the rally wanted to spread awareness about the Act and “tell that it is a good law”.

Body 2: 

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/2Fi58KQ
via IFTTT

K’taka farmers who planned protests against PM Modi detained, released later

Farmers

This was on a day the Prime Minister was in Tumakuru to give the Krishi Karman Awards for progressive farmers and to announce additional income support for farmers in the state.

Prajwal Bhat

Farmers detained in Shivamogga

Several farmers planning protests against Prime Minister Narendra Modi were detained in Bengaluru, Tumakuru and Shivamogga districts of Karnataka. This was on a day the Prime Minister was visiting Tumakuru to hand out the Krishi Karman Awards for progressive farmers and to announce additional income support for farmers in the state. According to police officials in Shivamogga, 16 farmers belonging to the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS) were detained at the Shivamogga railway station at around 6:30 am. The protesters were planning to travel to Tumakuru in the early morning train and hold a protest against the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his public interaction on Thursday. They were released at 3 pm, more than eight hours after they were detained.  "We had received information that a group of farmers were planning to go to Tumakuru and protest. They were detained as a preventive action and released later," a police official in Shivamogga told TNM.  Meanwhile, five farmers were also detained near the Parle G Factory near Rukmini Nagar in Bengaluru Rural district. More than 100 farmers of the KRRS  were similarly detained in Tumakuru for protesting the 'anti-farmer' policies of the central government.  Among those detained was Kodihalli Chandrashekar, the state president of KRRS. Speaking to The News Minute, Kodihalli Chandrashekar said that the farmers were planning a peaceful agitation and planned to raise several issues, particularly the lack of funds released to the state government in Karnataka following floods in 2019.  "Last year, 22 districts in Karnataka were affected by floods but the central government did not release funds to the state government. We also wanted to remind the central government to implement recommendations laid down in the Swaminathan Report  (on providing remunerative prices for farm produce)," Kodihalli Chandrashekar told TNM after he was released.  "We planned a Gandhian protest. Is this a democracy or dictatorship silencing all those who protest?" Kodihalli Chandrashekar asked.  Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Karnataka for a two-day state visit on Thursday. He took part in a programme at the Siddaganga Mutt in Tumakuru. During the programme, he referenced farmers in Karnataka multiple times. The Prime Minister also announced the release of the third instalment of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-Kisan). Under the PM-Kisan Yojana, farmers are given additional income support of Rs 6,000 per year in three equal instalments of Rs 2,000 each. "I hope that those states who have not implemented the Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana, implement it this year. They must rise over party politics to help the farmers in their states. Politics like this has prevented strengthening of farmers in India for a long time," Prime Minister Modi said speaking in Tumakuru. He also hailed south India's role in agricultural exports.  I hope that those states who have not implemented the Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana, implement it this year. They must rise over party politics to help the farmers in their states. Politics like this has prevented strengthening of farmers in India for a long time: PM #PMWithFarmers pic.twitter.com/FB4cVejfuB — BJP (@BJP4India) January 2, 2020 The detentions come two weeks after the Bengaluru police detained anti-Citizenship Amendment Act protesters, including students, in the city for defying prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC on December 19. 

Body 2: 

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/2rP9HJJ
via IFTTT

Sharing stage with PM, Yediyurappa reminds him K’taka hasn’t got enough flood relief

Politics

“I have requested three-four times, but until now not much funds have been sanctioned,” the Karnataka Chief Minister said.

Soumya Chatterjee

Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa surprised a few people in his party on Thursday when he raised the issue of flood relief for Karnataka during a speech, even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi was seated on state. The Prime Minister, Chief Minister, and several Union Minister and state leaders of the BJP were in Tumakuru for a farmer-targeted programme, to give out Krishi Karman awards to farmers in the district. Speaking at the event, Yediyurappa raised several issues of farmers, including Minimum Support Price, completion of irrigation schemes etc, requesting the Prime Minister to look into them. However, he went on to mention that when it came to flood relief fund, Karnataka had not got its due. “I appeal to the Prime Minister to give a special grant of Rs 50,000 crore for Karnataka,” Yediyurappa said referring to the recent floods in the state, to massive cheers from the crowd. “The floods were unlike anything seen in 115 years and affected around 600-700 villages and 3 lakh houses were damaged, roads and bridges were completely destroyed,” he added.  “The losses suffered were more than Rs 30,000 crore and I have brought this to the Prime Minister's notice and I have requested about this three-four times. But, until now, not much funds have been sanctioned. I request the Prime Minister with folded hands to release the funds,” the Chief Minister said. The speech by Yediyurappa came shortly after he praised the farmers of the state who were one of the prime targets of the rally. The Prime Minister is on a two-day visit to Karnataka. He visited the Siddaganga Mutt in Tumakuru and inaugurated the Indian Science Congress in Bengaluru. The rally in Tumakuru had started after PM Modi paid his tribute to the late Vishwesha Teertha Swamiji of the Pejawara Mutt. Following the devastating floods which killed more than 80 people and affected 22 out of the 30 districts of Karnataka, the CM had visited Delhi more than once to seek central relief. In one of the memos submitted in mid-August, the CM had sought funds of Rs 40,000 crore. A meeting was held, chaired by the PM himself along with the CM, the state Chief Secretary and Union Ministers from the state, Suresh Angadi and Prahlad Joshi. Subsequently, Yediyurappa had also asked for Rs 8,790 crore as interim relief. But in October, the state government had received a sum of Rs 1,200 crore as interim relief which was deemed too little. A section of opposition leaders in the state had even said out of the Rs 1,200 crore, Rs 303 crore were part of State Disaster Relief Fund’s yearly allocation. Read: Too late, too little: BJP slammed over interim relief given by Centre for Karnataka floods ‘People forced to live like dogs’: Kannada organisations ask PM for flood relief People in Belagavi auction footwear in name of PM, as protest over lack of flood relief  

Body 2: 

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/2MOs9cO
via IFTTT

Karnataka farmers threaten to not repay loans if Kalasa-Banduri project doesn’t begin

Mahadayi Issue

Farmers in 13 districts of north Karnataka are to begin a fresh protest on Friday over the Kalasa-Banduri project.

Theja Ram

Representation Photo

The ongoing protests in northern Karnataka over the Kalasa-Banduri project has intensified. Farmers in 13 districts of north Karnataka are set to begin a fresh protest, starting Friday, where they will refuse to pay back loans they took for agricultural purposes. Vijay Kulkarni, the man, who spearheaded the Mahadayi movement in Karnataka, said that the protesters will resort to civil disobedience if necessary. “We the farmers are the ones who elected the government. We will put up signboards outside our house saying that we will not pay back the loans to nationalized banks unless the Kalasa-Banduri project construction begins. Our country’s founding fathers defied the British and refuse to pay taxes as a sign of protest. They protested against the British, we are protesting against the government as they have caused us grave injustice,” Vijay Kulkarni said. The protests, he said, would be peaceful and this time around, none of the farmers would go to New Delhi to hold protests and that they would stop the elected MPs from entering their constituencies, if their demands are not met. “Pralhad Joshi (Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and MP from Hubballi-Dharwad) used to be a part of the movement that demanded the construction of the Kalasa-Banduri project in 2001. We worked together to demand drinking water for people here. Now he is only interested in politics. The movement has been sidetracked by politicians from BJP, Congress and JD(S). We will teach them a befitting lesson in the next elections if our demands are not met. We will stop them from entering the constituencies,” he said. He says that this time around, protesters are also demanding that the 25 BJP MPs who were elected from Karnataka must bring up the issue in Parliament. “We are already holding protests in various districts including Belagavi, Gadag, Vijayapura and Hubballi-Dharwad demanding that the project be constructed. There is a BJP government at the Centre and state. If the 25 BJP MPs make up their mind, they can ensure that the construction can begin quickly. Why is no one talking about this in Parliament?” he questioned.  Read: Will intensify protests until PM intervenes in Kalasa-Banduri project: Karnataka farmers    

Body 2: 

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/2Ffzldw
via IFTTT

No unfounded claims, please: Scientists to organisers of Indian Science Congress 2020

Controversy

The petition, from a group of eminent scientists, doctors and researchers, invokes Article 51A(h) of the Constitution which talks about developing a scientific temper.

Soumya Chatterjee

A group of eminent scientists, doctors and researchers have petitioned the General President of the Indian Science Congress Association (ISCA) urging him to prevent unscientific discussions at the upcoming Indian Science Congress. Invoking Article 51A(h) of the Constitution, they said the objective of ISCA is to build a scientifically literate country and mould younger generations empowered with critical thinking and scientific temper. Article 51A(h) mandates that it shall be the duty of every citizen of India to develop the scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform.   Read: Outlandish claims at Indian Science Congress: A 6-point rebuttal by a science activist The petition comes ahead of this year’s ISC, following unscientific claims made in the last few years at the annual event. This year’s event will be held between January 3-7 at the University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK Campus in Bengaluru and will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This time the theme of the flagship event is Science & Technology: Rural Development. The petition initiated by India March for Science, Bengaluru addressed to KS Rangappa, ISCA’s General President, reads, “We also wish to remind you of the rather unwarranted and unpleasant publicity that the last few ISCs have received due to the unscientific claims made by a few speakers. For instance, in ISC 2019, there were claims on the birth of Kauravas with stem cell and test tube technologies, the existence of the science of guided missiles and different types of aircraft and airports in ancient times etc, apart from disparaging remarks about the valuable contributions of Newton and Einstein. Most of these claims were made, shockingly enough, in the Children Science Congress section of ISC 2019 where the audience largely comprised of teachers and young students.”   Also read: After two controversial editions, Indian Science Congress heads to Tirupati Speaking with TNM, Jayanth Murthy, Professor at Bengaluru’s Indian Institute of Astrophysics, said, “Last year there were incredible claims made by many speakers, including those by the VC of Andhra University. These hurt us in many ways. But alarmingly that statement made was for children, who are very impressionable. So we want only published works that have a solid scientific basis to be presented.” He added, “We should particularly be careful when we speak to children, about being confident that whatever we are telling them is the best information that we have. When you tell children these unfounded stories, it makes you wonder how credible the VC himself is?” Another signatory, Jyostna Dixit, a post-doctoral researcher at the Centre for Ecological Science in the Indian Institute of Science, said, “We want to let the organisers know that it’s a good initiative to hold the Science Congress, but last time some speakers discussed irrelevant things that had nothing to do with science. So we wanted to ensure that no one conveys any unscientific claims from that platform as many people look up to them as role models. We want the event to be focussed on science and nothing based on any other agenda.” She added, “Last time the audience was not allowed to ask questions in some sessions. We don’t want a repetition of that. This is not good, because in science we go about asking questions and having open discussions. People should be allowed to ask questions.” The petition also states: “When agrarian crisis has gripped the country and the contribution of the farming sector to GDP has stagnated, the discussions on policies and mechanisms to tackle agrarian distress and farmers empowerment along with issues concerned with climate change, biodiversity and conservation as elaborated by you and UAS Vice-Chancellor S Rajendra Prasad and as reported in the press, are very much necessary. We wish the Congress, a great success. The petition points out that the negative publicity of the previous incidents had even prompted Vijay Raghavan, Principal Scientific Advisor to the PM, to voice his concern. The petition also mentions how that ISCA passed resolutions seeking declarations from all invited speakers to ensure that they would not make any irrational and unscientific claims and to seek an advance copy of the summary of speeches from all invited speakers. It further adds, “We hope that the lapses in the selection process that led to this fiasco are thoroughly scrutinised and addressed. We hereby urge you to ensure that any possibility of recurrence of any such unscientific claims from the platform of ISC 2020 is strictly avoided.”

Body 2: 

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/36hFli3
via IFTTT