From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Aug 11: The 70th Independence Day of the country would be a memorable one for 320 convicts, who are serving life term in various jails of Karnataka.

The State Cabinet, which met with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in the Chair on Wednesday, decided to free 320 convicts based on their good conduct under the revised norms for the goodwill gesture.

As many as 272 male convicts, who have served 14 years of jail term already and 48 female convicts, who have already spent 10 years in jail with good conduct would be freed, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister T B Jayachandra said.

Bail to farmers arrested during State Bandh

Briefing reporters on the decisions taken at the State Cabinet meeting, the minister said the State Cabinet has decided to release on bail all innocent farmers who were arrested and jailed following protests in several parts of the Dharwad district during the Karnataka bandh on July 30.

A total of 187 farmers had been arrested and imprisoned during the protests organised to oppose injustice meted out to the people of Mumbai-Karnataka region by the Mahadayi Water Dispute Tribunal.

Home Minister Dr G Parameshwara the due process of law would be followed and later cases registered against farmers would be withdrawn.

ADGP Kamal Pant has been asked to conduct the probe into police lathi-charge on people, particularly at Yamanur village in Dharwad district.

Pant sought a month’s time to submit the report, the minister said.

Meanwhile, ADGP Raghavendra Auradkar has given an interim report and based on its finding the Government decided to provide legal aid to farmers to release on bail, he said.