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Bengaluru, July 29: The Central Crime Branch arrested four international drug peddlers belonging to Kerala and recovered drugs worth Rs 1.25 crore from them, said Karnataka Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Wednesday.

"We have started a war on drugs. Our agenda is to curb the drug mafia not only in Bengaluru, but in entire Karnataka. Many people are involved in the drug mafia. They are targeting students, other states, and international students who can spend and afford to become victims," said Bommai.

The recovered items include 2,000 kg LSD strips, 110 grams MDMA Cristol, 10 ecstasy tablets, 5 kg Ganja, five cell phones, weighing machine and pouches.

"When we raided a house in Soladevanahally police station area, we arrested Shahad Mohammed, Azmal, Ajin KG Verghese and Nitin Mohan. All are from Kerala and we will arrest their contacts as well. They are involved in the dark web mafia," Bommai said.

He said the peddlers were using post offices and couriers for their business.

"I'll speak to the central government, the home ministry and postal department, and other issues related to this mafia. Canada, Netherlands, and other nations are also involved in this mafia," said the state home minister.

"People from influential backgrounds are also involved in this mafia, but our objective is zero tolerance. We are using our intelligence. Drugs are coming from other states like AP, Goa, and other states," he said.
Bommai said he was personally addressing this case and appealed for support from parents, schools and colleges.

"I'm addressing this issue personally because it's important to curb the drug mafia. I need support from schools and college managements and parents. I'll also call college and hostel managements before colleges start. We will make managements responsible," he said.

Bengaluru, Aug 4 : Without mentioning any party leader's name, Karnataka Congress President DK Shivakumar on Monday appealed to Congress workers not to make any "defamatory statement" against any political leader on social media platforms.

Taking to Twitter, Shivakumar wrote, "I appeal to Congress workers not to make defamatory statements against any political leader, on matters of health and other issues on social media platforms. It is not in our culture to wish bad for others. Congress is a party that exemplifies brotherhood and humanity."

His statement comes days after Rajya Sabha MP and AICC in-charge for Gujarat, Rajiv Satav comment where he suggested that introspection in the party should begin from the time of the United Progressive Alliance -II government.

Later, Satav took to Twitter to clarify his remarks at Thursday's meeting of the party's Upper House MPs. Satav, through a series of tweets on Saturday, said he was not comfortable discussing what goes on inside party meetings in forums outside.

Bengaluru, Aug 9: karnataka's Health Minister B Sriramulu has tested positive for the novel coronavirus. He has been hospitalised and is being treated for Covid-19. The minister has also asked all of those who came in contact with him recently to take necessary precautions.

Sriramulu made the announcement in a series of tweets on Sunday. He said, “After symptoms of flu, I have tested positive for coronavirus today.”

“Under the leadership of Honorable Chief Minister (BS Yediyurappa), all the departments of the government, including my department, have been working hard against Covid-19. From the time of corona's appearance, I have had the opportunity to visit 30 districts and work in harmony with the government's desire to treat people well. It is in this backdrop that I am going to be hospitalized and treated,” B Sriramulu said.

Karnataka’s Health Minister also added, “All those who have been in contact with me recently have been requested to take precautionary measures.”

Earlier this month, Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa also tested positive for Covid-19. The state's Leader of Opposition and former CM Siddaramaiah of the Congress also declared that his samples too had returned positive for the infection. Both of the leaders are undergoing treatment for Covid-19 at the privately-owned Manipal hospital in Bengaluru.

According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Karnataka has 79,773 active cases while a total of 89,238 patients have been discharged in the state after recovering from Covid-19 and 3091 have succumbed to it.