Belagavi District Digest

MES demands SIR enumeration forms in MarathiBelagavi: The Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES), has demanded that enumeration forms for the ongoing SIR of electoral rolls be made available in Marathi.

The MES has submitted a representation to the district administration seeking the SIR enumeration forms be made available in Marathi and English alongside Kannada.

While most Kannada- and Marathi-speaking residents have accepted the forms, some families of MES leaders reportedly objected them. The organisation, which has long raised the border and language issues, has urged authorities to provide forms in Marathi for the convenience of Marathi-speaking voters.

MES president Prakash Maragale, general secretary Malojirao Ashtekar, said, the SIR enumeration forms should be provided in Marathi.Man held for alleged heroin traffickingBelagavi: The APMC police in Belagavi have arrested a man for possessing and trafficking heroin, on Friday, while another person involved, is absconding. The arrested accused has been identified as Mahadev Gujanan Patil, 28, while the other accused, Vinayak Balu Khandale, 25, is on the run, and the police is on the look out for him.

Acting on specific intelligence, a team from APMC police station intercepted Patil near Congress Bhavan on Old PB Road and took him into custody.

During the operation, police allegedly recovered 24.8g of heroin. Police seized contraband valued at Rs 4.9 lakh. A mobile phone worth Rs 5,000 was also seized, taking total value of the confiscated property to Rs 5 lakh. A case has been registered at APMC police station under the NDPS Act.