Schools, liquor shops shut across Karnataka over Babri verdict

News Network
November 9, 2019

Bengaluru, Nov 9: Security has been beefed up in all major cities and sensitive areas of Karnataka on Saturday ahead of the much awaited judgment on Babri Masjid land.

The state government declared a holiday for all schools and colleges across Karnataka on Saturday, primary and secondary education minister S Suresh Kumar said on Friday.

Sale of liquor will be banned from 6am on Saturday till Sunday midnight in Bengaluru, police commissioner Bhaskar Rao said in a late-night press conference. He said ban orders under Section 144 of CrPC will be in force from Saturday morning to ensure no processions are taken out, nor protests held.

Hotels in the departure lounge of international flights from KIA are exempt from liquor ban, he said.

Elaborate security arrangements have been made and special forces, including 50 Karnataka State Reserve Police and 35 City Armed Reserve platoons will be deployed across the city. Rapid Action Force personnel and one Central Reserve Police Force platoon will patrol the city, Rao said.

While the CCB DCP will be deployed to monitor social media content, the commissioner himself will be on the ground from 7am. The other 17 DCPs and 34 ACPs will also monitor security arrangements in the field, Rao said.

"City police will be present in full strength on Saturday," Rao said. "Those on leave have been directed to rejoin duty by Saturday morning. At night, we'll carry out a special drive and detain miscreants and anti-social elements if needed."

He requested the public not to heed rumours. "I request people not to post hate and false content on social media," he said. Police officers said orders from their higher-ups are clear: Be ready for any contingency and show zero tolerance to anything that threatens to breach law and order. Police are also on high alert in all districts across the state.

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News Network
April 28,2020

Bengaluru, Apr 28: Former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday suggested that the government can allow sale of liquor in green zones. 

“Merely because there is an economic slowdown in the state, I don’t recommend that alcohol should be allowed to be sold. But, wherever there are green districts, they can open (liquor sale) with certain restrictions, I think,” Siddaramaiah, the leader of the Opposition, told reporters. 

There are 14 districts in the state that are categorised as green because they do not have any active COVID-19 cases. The green districts are: Yadgir, Raichur, Koppal, Haveri, Davangere, Shivamogga, Chitradurga, Udupi, Chikmagalur, Hassan, Kodagu, Chamarajanagar, Ramanagara and Kolar.

There is tremendous pressure on the B S Yediyurappa administration to revive the economy as the lockdown has dried up all revenue sources. Excise, alone, accounts for 18 per cent of Karnataka’s own tax revenue. 

The Excise department recently suggested allowing regulated sale of liquor through the state-run MSIL outlets. The government, however, did not approve it fearing crowding and backlash from the Centre.

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News Network
April 22,2020

Bengaluru, Apr 22: In order to infuse confidence among people to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, Karnataka government on Wednesday launched a helpline 'Apthamitra' with an exclusive toll free number and a mobile app, aimed at providing required medical advice and guidance for those in need.

The help line and app was launched by Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa in the presence of senior Ministers and officials of the department.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Yediyurappa said that the help line was need at this crucial juncture. “If anyone has symptoms of Coronavirus, they can call the helpline from their home, get medical advice or assistance and get their doubts cleared. 

People who call to know the symptoms, an expert team of doctors will advice on what to do next.”

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News Network
April 22,2020

Mangaluru, Apr 22: City Police Commissioner Dr P S Harsha, on Wednesday, interacted with families of Covid-19 warriors of the Police Department through a special video conference to infuse confidence in them.

He spoke to the family members of the police personnel who, along with ASHA workers, are monitoring the home quarantined people and even assist them in supplying essentials and medicines.

Most of the family member of the police personnel were of North Karnataka origin and the Commissioner asked them to stay safe by staying at home and explained to them the good work done by their family members in the Police Department.

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