Bengal heading for industrial rejuvenation: Minister Agnimitra Paul

Ballary (Karnataka), Jan 2 (IANS) Tension escalated in Karnataka’s Ballari district after a Congress worker was shot dead, and the police said that the bullet was fired from a private revolver.

The deceased was identified as Rajashekar. In-charge Superintendent of Police (SP) Ranjit Kumar Bandaru stated on Friday that the police have registered four cases in connection so far, including a murder case that has been filed following a complaint by Congress workers. The family of the deceased has filed a complaint against some BJP leaders.

The Congress MLA from Ballari city, Nara Bharat Reddy, has alleged that the firing was carried out at the behest of mining baron and BJP MLA Janardhana Reddy and demanded his immediate arrest.

The police have imposed prohibitory orders in the areas surrounding the residence of mining baron and MLA Gali Janardhana Reddy.

It may be recalled that supporters of MLAs Janardhana Reddy and Bharat Reddy clashed over the installation of banners to celebrate Valmiki Jayanti in front of Janardhana Reddy’s residence on Thursday night. Janardhana Reddy’s supporters opposed the installation of the banners, resulting in a quarrel that escalated into stone pelting, lathi charge, and firing by both police and private gunmen.

In the ensuing chaos, Congress worker Rajashekar sustained a bullet injury and later died. The police had earlier stated that it was not clear who fired the fatal shot.

Speaking to the media, SP Ranjit Kumar stated, “The postmortem of the deceased Congress worker has been completed. According to preliminary information, the bullet that hit the Congress worker was not fired by the police. Preliminary investigations have revealed that it was fired by a private person. We are further investigating and awaiting the report from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL). Further inputs will be shared later.”

“We have made all security arrangements for his funeral. The situation is peaceful now. Additional forces have been called in from neighbouring districts,” he said.

“The bullet that killed Rajashekar was fired from a private revolver. The investigation is ongoing, and we are gathering details,” the SP stated.

“We have collected all CCTV footage and are analysing it. So far, four cases have been registered. Supporters of MLA Bharat Reddy have filed a complaint of murder in connection with the death of Congress worker Rajashekar. From the side of MLA Bharat Reddy’s close aide Satish Reddy, another complaint has been registered for attempt to murder,” SP Ranjit Kumar said.

Another individual has filed an atrocity case against Janardhana Reddy. The police have also registered a suo motu case against all those involved. Further investigation is underway, he added.

Giving details of the incident, SP Ranjit Kumar said, “Yesterday (January 1), in the Ahambhavi area, in front of Janardhana Reddy’s residence, a quarrel broke out over the installation of a flex banner in connection with the Valmiki statue inauguration.

“There was stone pelting between supporters of MLAs Janardhana Reddy and Bharat Reddy. An accidental firing incident also occurred, in which a Congress worker died. This led to an escalation of tension. The police have taken control of the situation and dispersed the crowd.”

“It cannot be termed a police failure. The police responded immediately when the incident occurred. There was a sudden development of events, and people gathered quickly. Initially, the situation could not be brought under control, but it was later reined in,” the SP stated.

Police sources said that more than 12 rounds were fired during the clashes. The police also found chilli powder and piles of stones on the roads.

The deceased Rajashekar’s father had worked for the BJP, while Rajashekar was associated with the Congress. MLA Bharat Reddy had staged a protest in front of Janardhana Reddy’s residence after the shooting.

Eshwar Reddy, brother of the deceased Rajashekar, said the incident occurred when his brother was with MLA Bharat Reddy. “My brother Rajashekar was with the Congress party. My father was a follower of BJP leader Somashekara Reddy. We have filed a complaint against the BJP,” he said.

The situation continues to remain tense and volatile in Ballari city.

–IANS

mka/dpb

Guwahati, May 7 (IANS) The Northeast Frontier Railway has implemented a series of proactive measures to prevent incidents of buffalo dashing in the strategically important Lumding-Badarpur Hill Section under the Lumding Division, officials said on Thursday.

Northeast Frontier Railway’s Chief Public Relations Officer Kapinjal Kishore Sharma said that, considering the safety of train operations as well as the protection of livestock, the Northeast Frontier Railway has intensified preventive initiatives in vulnerable locations where such incidents had been reported frequently in the past.

He said that, as part of the safety enhancement measures, fencing work is being carried out along the approaches to major railway tunnels in the hill section to restrict the movement of buffaloes and cattle onto railway tracks.

Recently, fencing work of approximately 150 metres in length between tunnel number 16 and bridge number 262 on both sides of the track has been completed.

In addition, fencing work near tunnel number 10 and tunnel number 12 is presently in progress and is being expedited for early completion.

These initiatives are expected to significantly reduce the chances of cattle straying onto the tracks and avoid cattle-train collisions, thus improving operational safety, the official pointed out.

He said that alongside infrastructural measures, the Northeast Frontier Railway is also conducting extensive awareness campaigns in villages located close to areas prone to buffalo-dashing incidents, particularly in the New Harangajao-Ditokcherra section.

Railway officials, in coordination with village councils and residents, are sensitising people about the dangers posed by the trespassing of cattle and buffaloes on railway tracks and tunnels.

During these campaigns, pamphlets are being distributed, and awareness posters are being displayed to encourage villagers to keep livestock away from railway tracks and premises.

Sharma said that the Northeast Frontier Railway remains committed to ensuring safe and uninterrupted train operations in the hill section through continuous monitoring, infrastructure strengthening, and community participation.

The Northeast Frontier Railway appeals to residents and cattle owners to extend their cooperation in safeguarding railway operations and preventing accidents involving livestock, the Chief Public Relations Officer said.

–IANS

sc/dan

New Delhi, Dec 20 (IANS) In a major offensive against drug trafficking and allied crimes, the Dwarka District Police on Saturday carried out a large-scale crackdown under “Operation Clean Sweep-2”, arresting nine accused, including one Nigerian national, and seizing a substantial quantity of narcotics, illicit liquor, arms and cash, officials said on Saturday.

The special operation was conducted over two days, December 19 and 20, with coordinated raids at nearly 50 locations across the Dwarka district.

The action aligns with the Government of India’s policy of zero tolerance against drug supply networks, being implemented by Delhi Police under the guidance of Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena and Commissioner of Police Satish Golcha.

According to Delhi Police, the operation was executed by multiple teams of the Operations Unit led by Inspectors Kamlesh Kumar, Subhash Chand, Vishvender, Manish, Vivek Mandola and Jitender, SHO Chhawla, under the supervision of ACP Operations Dwarka, Ramavtar.

The teams were tasked with identifying and dismantling local drug peddling networks and associated illegal activities.

During the raids, police arrested nine individuals from areas including Bindapur, Uttam Nagar, Dabri, Mohan Garden and Dwarka South.

Among those arrested was Samson alias Cheze, a 28-year-old Nigerian national from Lagos State.

Other accused include Sanjay, Govind Kumar, Ramesh, Vikash alias Golu, Vishal Singh and his wife, Gajender alias Tinnu, and Vinod alias Guddu.

The police registered eight FIRs across multiple police stations under provisions of the NDPS Act, Delhi Excise Act and Arms Act.

The recoveries made during the operation include 33.244 kg of ganja (marijuana), 62 grams of amphetamine, 32 tablets of buprenorphine, 13 Avil injections, 105 quarters of illicit liquor, one knife, and cash amounting to Rs 3.64 lakh.

Officials said the search and verification drive is still underway, and further arrests are likely.

Investigators are now focusing on tracing the backward and forward linkages of the drug syndicate to identify suppliers, financiers and wider interstate or international connections.

Dwarka District Police reiterated their commitment to continuing sustained operations to curb narcotics trafficking and ensure community safety in the region.

–IANS

sas/uk