Bengaluru, May 21 (IANS) The leader of opposition in the Karnataka Assembly, R. Ashoka, on Tuesday accused the Congress government in the state of being involved in phone tapping.

“If this is not true, the matter should be immediately handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and taken to a logical conclusion,” the BJP leader said.

Speaking to reporters here, Ashoka said that former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy spoke about phone tapping and he must have been informed by some police officers.

He also said that the equipment required for phone tapping can be purchased from China.

“A probe should be carried out to find out how many such equipment were bought and where they were used. I have been informed by the police that the phones of opposition leaders are being tapped. The government should conduct a probe,” Ashoka said.

“Those involved in phone tapping must be sent to jail. The government should hand over the case to the CBI. If the government claims it is not tapping phones, then it should allow the CBI to investigate the matter,” he added.

On Monday, JD-S leader H.D. Kumaraswamy accused the state government of tapping the phones of the family members of former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda in connection with the alleged sex video scandal involving the veteran JD-S chief’s grandson Prajwal Revanna.

“Our phones are being tapped. The phones of 40 people in my close circles are also being tapped. Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar knows everything about this. The new phones can also be tapped within 24 hours. The phones of all my family members are being tapped,” Kumaraswamy claimed.

–IANS

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Jaipur, May 21 (IANS) The Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) of Rajasthan Police has seized a large consignment of opium seeds weighing around 30 quintals smuggled in from Ranchi in Ajmer district.

The police have arrested the accused truck driver named Ramnarayan Bishnoi (55) from the spot. The seized drugs are valued at around Rs 5 crore.

With the latest seizure, the AGTF has seized opium extract worth about Rs 12 crore in the past week and arrested two smugglers, said Dinesh M.N., ADGP, Anti-Gangster Task Force.

On May 17, 22 quintals of illegal opium powder worth Rs 3.50 crore were seized in Bhilwara, which were being smuggled from Madhya Pradesh to Marwar under the guise of a cement container.

On May 19, over 21 quintals of opium extract, smuggled in a truck under the guise of rice carts, were seized in Sikar district. The consignment was valued at around Rs 3.50 crore.

–IANS

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Noida, May 21 (IANS) After the Noida Police, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) will now take forward the investigation into the case involving YouTuber and former Bigg Boss OTT winner Elvish Yadav and his eight associates for organising a rave party in Noida, where snakes and snake venom were reportedly found.

The Noida Police have already submitted a 1,200-page charge sheet in the court naming Elvish Yadav and his associates as accused. The police also submitted electronic evidence, a forensic report, besides the statements of 24 witnesses in the case.

The ED will now collect information related to this case from the Noida Police and take the investigation forward with the help of the evidence recorded in the charge sheet.

The Noida Police have also sent the mobile phones of Elvish Yadav and two other accused to the forensic laboratory for examination.

The ED is likely to question Elvish Yadav soon, sources said.

According to police sources, the three phones that have been sent to the forensic lab contained videos and chats related to rave parties and the use of snake venom.

–IANS

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Jaipur, May 22 (IANS) In view of cases of heat stroke rising in the state, the Rajasthan Medical and Health Department on Tuesday cancelled the leave of all medical personnel and asked them to stay at their respective places of work.

The employees will only be able to go on leave under special circumstances after approval from the competent level, officials said, adding that all information regarding leaves and their approval must be given to the Medical and Health Directorate.

On the instructions of Additional Chief Secretary, Medical and Health, Shubhra Singh, the Directorate issued a circular announcing that the leaves of doctors, nursing, and paramedical staff have been cancelled and they have been directed to ensure arrangements for the prevention and treatment of heat stroke.

Director, Public Health, Dr Ravi Prakash Mathur said that instructions have been given in the circular that control rooms in offices will remain functional 24 hours. In cases of emergency, people can also use toll-free numbers 108 and 104 and helpline number 1070.

Instructions have been given to widely publicise these helpline numbers, he added.

Orders have also been issued to reserve beds for heat stroke patients in all medical institutions, to ensure the availability of necessary medicines and testing facilities and adequate quantities of ice packs, ice cubes etc.

Also, it has to be ensured that the air conditioners in ambulances are functional and that necessary medicines and equipment are available for treatment in case of any emergency.

ASHA workers have been instructed to make the general public aware of heat and heat stroke prevention by carrying out extensive IEC (information, education, and communication) activities. Besides, the availability of medical kits at MNREGA sites and the supply of water and electricity in hospitals must be ensured.

As per officials, information about the arrangements made will have to be sent to the Directorate in the given format every day.

The Met department has warned of an intense heat wave for the next two days in which the temperature may rise to 46 to 47 degrees Celsius in some parts of the state.

–IANS

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Gurugram, May 21 (IANS) BJP candidate Rao Inderjit Singh held a roadshow in Gurugram on Tuesday ahead of the sixth phase of the ongoing Lok Sabha election, which will see all 10 constituencies in Haryana exercise their franchise.

BJP District President Kamal Yadav joined Rao in an open flower-bedecked vehicle as they acknowledged the enthusiastic supporters.

Holding the party symbol ‘lotus’, Yadav waved at the cheering crowd which greeted the Ahir leaders with the slogans of ‘Abki baar 400 paar’ (400-plus seats for NDA this time), ‘Har Har Modi’ and ‘Jai Shri Ram’.

The roadshow started from the Prem Mandir located on the old Railway Road in Gurugram and culminated at the Maharaja Agrasen Chowk, covering a distance of nearly three km.

Inderjit said that the power given by the people will be used only for the benefit of the public.

“I never did politics of lies. Whatever has been said, that has been done. I am true to my words. 2019 was a trailer of the development that will take place in 2024. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has prepared a roadmap for development for the next five years. BJP is moving forward with the resolve to make India a developed nation by 2047. To fulfill this resolution, cooperation and support of the countrymen is necessary,” he added.

Rao said that the situation in the Gurgaon Lok Sabha constituency has changed completely in the last 10 years as commercial and business activities have received a new impetus.

“The dreams of farmers, poor, industrialists, women, and youth have got new wings. Expressways, highways, AIIMS, Universities, and Medical Colleges are such gifts that were unimaginable for this region. Orbital Rail Corridor, dedicated Rail Freight Corridor, redevelopment of railway stations, doubling of railway lines, electrification. He never made false promises to the people of the area. He has shown by doing what he has said. He has lobbied strongly for projects like the Dedicated Rail Freight Corridor and AIIMS,” he added.

Rao said that whatever shortcomings have been there in the last 10 years will be addressed over the next five years and the infrastructure of the Gurgaon constituency will be strengthened.

–IANS

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