After finding out that the man, arrested in Saudi Arabia, has no criminal background, officials want him released

UDUPI: With efforts on to have Harish Bangera, who was arrested in Saudi Arabia for a ‘hate’ comment, released, Udupi district police have written a letter to Facebook to check from which IP number the second Facebook account in the name of Harish was created and the ‘objectionable’ comments posted. Meanwhile, the police have learnt that Harish has no criminal background in Kundapur, his hometown, before he moved to Saudi Arabia for work.

Harish Bangera, a 32-year-old man from Beejady village in Kundapur in Udupi district, is a trained air conditioner mechanic. He went to Saudi Arabia in March 2014 to join the Gulf Carton Factory in Dammam. He shared a video of a riot that was supposed to have taken place in Mangaluru, which he had received from someone in India on December 19. Subsequently, he felt that the video was unwarranted and deleted it from his account. In order to put an end to the controversy, he also posted a video apologising for his ‘unwarranted’ post. Further, he deactivated his Facebook account. The matter ended there.

However, on December 20, a miscreant created another account in his name and several of his photographs were posted in it. The next day, two ‘highly objectionable and blasphemous contents’ were also posted. Bangera said that he was unaware of these developments until his wife, Sumana, brought the matter to his notice. Before he could bring this up in front of the Saudi Arabian Police, the comments went viral. Engr Meshari A M Al-Jabr, general manager of Gulf Carton Factory dismissed Bangera and the Saudi Arabian police arrested him. His family members in Kundapur are still unaware of the charges against him.

“Once we receive the details, we shall send them to the Saudi Arabian police, so as to prove Harish’s innocence,” an official said.

At first appearance, it looks almost like an imposing jail — with a formidable 10-ft high boundary wall, barbed wires and two watch towers.

BENGALURU: With the Centre in denial over the existence of detention centres to house illegal immigrants, what will happen to the one coming up in Bengaluru’s backyard? Karnataka’s first detention centre in Nelamangala taluk, about 40 km from here, can house 25. Located in Sondekoppa, it is almost ready for inauguration.

At first appearance, it looks almost like an imposing jail — with a formidable 10-ft high boundary wall, barbed wires and two watchtowers.

The centre, which stands in a half-acre and 20 guntas land, has five rooms where illegal immigrants and overstaying foreigners will be housed, a common kitchen and a common bathroom.

What was once an OBC hostel is now busy with policemen patrolling the area and letting in only contract labourers, construction workers, electricians and plumbers.

“It was a women’s hostel earlier. The work started six months ago. The centre could be even inaugurated in the first week of January,” said an employee who is in charge of construction.

Even groceries have been stocked at the centre.

A senior police officer said the five rooms have five beds each. The work pending relates to the completion of staff quarters and toilets.

“Even that is almost done. Just plastering of the bathroom and staff quarters is to be completed. It will be done in another week’s time,” explained the officer. 

‘Centre might be opened anytime soon’

Sources claim that the building might even be inaugurated anytime soon, probably on the New Year as the groceries have also been stored. Also, a police jeep with five policemen is guarding the place on a shift basis.

According to locals, the entire construction work was done in a hush-hush manner —even the local panchayat had no idea what was coming up there.

A former Zilla Panchayat member said, “We wanted this building for the gram panchayat office but the social welfare department has not shared any details with us. And now a detention centre is coming up here.”

Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai had earlier said that NRC will definitely be implemented in Karnataka and construction of the detention centre has been almost completed.

A huge database of illegal migrants is also being put together by the state.

Bommai had recently said, “We are presently collecting information of all illegal immigrants, drug dealers from other countries who have been nabbed and also foreign nationals. A lot of them who have crossed the borders in South India have settled in Karnataka and it is the question of people’s security.”

The state government had also recently told the Karnataka High Court that 612 cases have been registered against 866 foreigners for overstaying their visa period and for violation of various laws, including the provisions of Indian Penal Code and Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act till October 2019.

Also the State Public Prosecutor (SPP)-II made a submission to that effect before Justice K N Phaneendra, during the hearing of bail applications filed by illegal Bangladeshi immigrants that 35 temporary foreigners’ detention centres were identified in various districts and commissionerates across the state.

When The New Indian Express asked a senior police officer how a detention centre that can house only 25 persons can accommodate many people who are detained, he said on the condition of anonymity,

“This place is ready for now. There are other places too which we are trying to zero in on. This place also has scope for expansion. We will build more rooms if necessary.”This building was re-purposed to be used as a detention centre during the coalition government. 

It is reliably learnt that Police Commissioner PS Harsha, who did not curb his men’s high-handed behaviour, was pulled up by his seniors who have recommended action against him.

MANGALURU:  The firing in Mangaluru, which killed two people and injured many more, has come in for sharp criticism from leaders and people alike, with commentators saying that police mishandled the protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act.

It is reliably learnt that Police Commissioner PS Harsha, who did not curb his men’s high-handed behaviour, was pulled up by his seniors who have recommended action against him. 

First, while the police manual clearly says that in such a situation, cops should fire at people below their knees, seven out of eight police bullets hit victims above their waists.

Worse, one of the bullets brushed former mayor K Ashraf’s head, while another hit the chest of a student.

In many videos now in public domain, cops are seen firing at the chest level, not above the knees or in the air. 

Second, a purported video of a police inspector asking his colleagues why no one was killed despite firing several rounds, suggests that their intention went beyond curbing ‘violent’ protests.

The video has become fodder for opposition parties, with former chief minister Siddaramaiah releasing it before the media in Bengaluru on Friday. 

Police Commissioner Harsha said in his defence that he was not aware of any such video, and promised to look into it.

He also did not respond to questions on the video of cops smashing a door in a hospital, where the bodies of the dead men, Jaleel and Nausheen, were kept. 

The top cop also reportedly gave inflated figures in an attempt to justify police action. Soon after the two killings on Thursday, he said that police “had no option but to open fire as the violent mob attacked and grievously injured them”, after barging into Mangaluru North police station in Bunder.

He had said there were 6,000 to 7,000 people, but reliable sources said this figure was inflated, and that no policeman sustained serious injuries.

Harsha also said that DCP (L&O) Arunangshu Giri’s hand was almost cut off by the agitators, which reliable sources said is not correct. His claims that 33 cops were injured is also inflated, sources said. 

On Friday morning, the commissioner told some TV channels that they had arrested 50 people, who in the garb of journalists had tried to enter District Wenlock Hospital where the injured were admitted. He also said that some of them carried lethal weapons.

But at a press conference in the evening, his defence was that since the journalists were strangers to the city, he could not allow them to do a reportage. 

In fact, there were only eight journalists, not 50, as he had claimed. Harsha also did not have answers on whether they possessed weapons and why he misled the media.

He also tried to underplay the number of people injured, keeping it at five, while at least 25 civilians are being treated at several hospitals. 

Two people were killed in police firing in Mangaluru on Thursday as the protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act turned violent.

BENGALURU: Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa is visiting Mangaluru which was rocked by violent protests against the CAA leaving two dead in police firing, on Saturday and will hold meetings with top officials to review the situation there.

“I’m going to Mangaluru along with Govind Karjol (Deputy Chief Minister) and Basavaraj Bommai (Home Minister). I will hold meetings with officials there to know the reasons (for the violence),” Yediyurappa told reporters here before leaving for Mangaluru.

Asked whether an inquiry will be ordered into the incident, he said, “I will go there and hold meetings, after knowing things I will take a call.”

Two people were killed in police firing in Mangaluru on Thursday as the protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act turned violent.

The situation in the curfew clamped city was by and large peaceful on Friday, barring stray incidents of violence.

Police said the curfew was lifted in the city for a couple of hours on Saturday morning to facilitate public to buy daily essentials from the market.

The Karnataka government had on Thursday night also prohibited mobile internet data service of all service providers for the next 48 hours in the jurisdiction of Mangaluru City and Dakshina Kannada district.

Yediyurappa said he would be travelling to Udupi later to pay a visit to Pejavara Mutt’s Vishvesha Teertha Swamiji, who is currently undergoing treatment in a hospital.

“By the grace of Sri Krishna there is a slight improvement in the health of Swamiji,” he said.

The 88-year old pontiff is being treated for extensive pneumonia with antibiotics and supportive treatment.

Shaik Zakeer Hussain

In a shocking video that is doing rounds on social media, police personnel in Mangaluru are seen questioning each other, why no protestor was killed, even after firing at them.

The clipping of the video was shared by Mahila Congress’ National Social Media Coordinator Lavanya Ballal on Friday, causing a widespread uproar.

“Listen to what the cops are saying . “Even after firing, not a single shot hit anyone, no one died”. #KarnatakaRejectsCAA_NRC,” Ballal tweeted and tagged the Karnataka State Home Department, asking for action against the cop.

Expressing outrage at the incident, Indian Youth Congress in-charge Srivatsa, tweeted alleging the cops “were shooting with the intention to kill?”

At least two people were killed in police firing in Mangaluru on Thursday during the ongoing nationwide protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the draconian NRC.

The Home Department of Karnataka has imposed a suspension on mobile internet services by all mobile providers in Mangaluru and Dakshina Kannada district for 48 hours, and curfew has been imposed in parts of the city until midnight on Saturday (December 21).

Anti Citizenship Act (CAA) demonstrators across India are carrying out peaceful protests as anger swells against the highly sectarian and anti-Constitutional law. However, the BJP-ruled Karnataka government on Wednesday evening clamped prohibitory orders under Section 144 in Mangaluru and other parts of the state starting from 6 am on Thursday till the mid-night of December 21.

On Thursday, over 6,000 people gathered at various parts of Mangaluru defying prohibitory orders to protest against CAA. Videos from the violence-affected area show police personnel firing at the protestors and using tear gas and brute force to disperse the crowd.

Two people, Jaleel Kudroli (49) and Nausheen Bengre (23) were killed in the police firing.

According to the Citizenship Amendment Act, members of Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities who have come from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan till December 31, 2014, and facing religious persecution there will not be treated as illegal immigrants but given Indian citizenship. The Act intentionally leaves out Muslims.

The BJP-led government has said the new law will be followed by a National Register of Citizens (NRC) that means Muslims must prove they were original residents of India and not refugees from these three countries. Non-Muslims listed in the law, by contrast, have a clear path to citizenship.

The religiously discriminatory mechanisms of the Act shares worrying similarities with the rhetoric and policies of the Nazi German state between 1929-1940.

Though uneasy calm prevails, Additional police forces have been brought in from neighbouring districts to keep a vigil in the city keeping in mind that two more persons were severely injured.

MANGALURU: A day after violence broke out in Mangalore claiming two lives in protests over contentious Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), an uneasy calm has prevailed in the curfew clamped city.

Additional police forces have been brought in from neighbouring districts to keep a vigil in the city keeping in mind that two more persons were severely injured in Thursday’s clash between police and protestors are still critical.

The security in the riot-hit areas like Bunder, Kudroli and others have been tightened.

The normal life has come to a complete halt as transport facilities have been suspended and shops shut.

In riot-hit areas, people had to face a lot of inconveniences as the police did not allow people to go ahead with normal day-to-day activities like buying milk and groceries.

Life in other parts of the city was comparatively normal as some shops were open and people were seen hastily buying vegetables and groceries.

However, the state and private transports have suspended their service.

A large number of people who had planned to travel outside the city had to return disappointed from KSRTC bus stand. Police personnel were seen asking the people on the road to return to their homes.

Shaik Zakeer Hussain

At least two people were killed in police firing in Mangaluru on Thursday during the ongoing nationwide protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the draconian NRC.

Reportedly, the police opened fire on protestors near Bunder area of Mangaluru. Both the victims were rushed to a private hospital in the city but were declared brought dead. One of the victims is a resident of Bunder while another victim is a resident of Kandak in the city.

Curfew has been imposed in parts of the city until midnight on Saturday (December 21). Videos from the violence-affected area show police personnel seen firing in the air to disperse people protesting, although people were standing in a distance.

No one will desert party, claims JDS 

The JDS declared on Sunday that no one would desert the party.

The JDS declared on Sunday that no one would desert the party. This assertion comes amid fears that the party may lose more of its legislators to another round of ‘Operation Kamala’. Speaking to the media, senior JDS leader CS Puttaraju said firmly that there will be no more defections. Asked about the possibility of any more persons leaving the party, he said sarcastically, “For details, please ask KR Pete MLA Narayana Gowda who defected from JDS and joined the BJP, he will tell you more.”

JDS state president HK Kumaraswamy told TNIE,  “No one will leave the party. The BJP has no more need for any more legislators. If anyone still goes, no one can be a bigger fool than him.” Meanwhile, the JDS has called for a meeting of its party legislators and leaders to discuss issues following its defeat in all assembly constituencies in the by-elections.  

Former CM H D Kumaraswamy, suffering from fever and is advised rest, is recovering at a place outside the state and is expected to return on Tuesday. Only after his return will the party hold the meeting to discuss the fallout of the recent assembly elections.

http://nasheman.in/61542-2/

It is a matter of research and can be studied at the university level.

BENGALURU: It’s a controversy waiting to resurface again. After some BJP legislators demanded the removal of references to erstwhile Mysuru ruler Tipu Sultan from school textbooks, the government constituted a committee to look into the issue. The government is yet to decide on the committee’s recommendation on retaining the lessons.

In an interview to The New Sunday Express, noted Kannada writer Prof Baraguru Ramachandrappa, who headed the Textbooks Revision Committee in 2016-17, said the controversy is unwarranted and taking out references to Tipu from the textbooks is an insult to history. 
Excerpts:

Your views on the controversy?
This is an unwarranted controversy. There is nothing controversial in the school textbooks.

BJP legislators demanded removal of lessons on Tipu as he had committed atrocities against people in Kodagu…
Primary, high school and even pre-university level textbooks are information-oriented. Normally, we do not discuss for and against in those textbooks. Some historians write in favour of what Tipu did in Malabar region and some others write against it. All kings fought wars and they did some good and some bad works. Do we need to inform primary school and high school students about such controversies? Normally, we do not do it in any textbooks.

It is a matter of research and can be studied at the university level. I am not speaking for or against the issue. But within the framework of textbooks, we have not given any controversial information about anyone. If there is anything wrong in the information provided in the textbooks, it can be revised. It is not right to remove the reference to Tipu Sultan or anyone else.

In seventh standard textbook, there is a reference to Veer Savarkar (Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, freedom fighter who formulated the Hindutva ideology) under the title of ‘Prominent Revolutionaries’. If Congress leaders question how he can be called a revolutionary, can we take it out of the textbooks? There is no need for it. Removing references from textbooks is an insult to history as children need to know one aspect of history and as they grow they can always study other aspects, including controversies.

They also say he was not a freedom fighter
There are references to Tipu in 6th, 7th and 10th standards and we have not used the term ‘freedom fighter’. He had fought against Britishers and there is a reference to it. I have my own doubts if we can call him a ‘freedom fighter’ as the concept of freedom movement came much later. During Tipu’s time (late 18th century), over 500 princely states fought against the British.

Were there any such instances in the past?
I have read about such demands in the past in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. Unfortunately, such things happen when the governments change and different parties come to power in states. A government is a democratically elected body and it should be above party politics.

‘Bayalatada Bhimanna’, written by me, was a text in Kuvempu University. It was about stories related to villages and it mentioned abuses commonly used in villages. Some BJP MLCs objected and it was discussed in the legislative council. A committee headed by veteran writer Chaduranga was formed to look into it. The committee found that there is nothing wrong as it is was a text for degree students and not for school students. The government accepted the report.

What is your suggestion to the government?
I think it should be left to experts and the government should not decide. I have great belief in (Education Minister ) Suresh Kumar.

Bengaluru and Mumbai forest department officials have arrested a man for selling and keeping exotic birds and animals, in a two-day operation, in Mumbai on Wednesday.

BENGALURU: Bengaluru and Mumbai forest department officials have arrested a man for selling and keeping exotic birds and animals, in a two-day operation, in Mumbai on Wednesday. The forest officials from in Mumbai, Bengaluru, and the Bengaluru forest squad division officials were in touch with each other in the past fortnight for the operation. The teams rescued one rose ringed parakeet, seven house sparrows, two Indian silverbills, three scaly breasted munias, three monitor lizards and a red avadavat. 

A forest official said that the Mumbai forest officials had arrested one Zaid in Thane. On being interrogated, he said that he had links in Bengaluru. The officials then contacted the Bengaluru team, who conducted raids in Shivajinagar and Tannery Road. They rescued the birds and reptiles and arrested Zaid’s associates.

The official said that the accused were circulating pictures of birds and animals, listed under the Wildlife Protection Act (1972), on social media, to sell them. “Based on information from the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau and with intelligence inputs, we got to know of Zaid. In the meantime, the Thane police had arrested him for keeping two spotted doves and four spotted owls.

When they inquired, he revealed his links in Bengaluru. We checked our records and found that he was arrested earlier in June in Bangalore for selling baby crocodiles,” the official said.To keep and breed these animals and birds, permission from the chief wildlife warden and the zoo authority of Karnataka is a must. The accused did not have any such permission.