Bengaluru News Highlights: The total number of active cases in Karnataka surged to 271, with four Covid deaths reported since December 15. Bengaluru News Highlights (December 23): Karnataka reported 104 fresh cases of Covid-19 in the last 24 hours. This takes the total number of active cases in the state to 271, with four Covid deaths reported since December 15. The case positivity rate in the last 24 hours stands at 5.93%. The Karnataka government had on Friday constituted a four-member cabinet sub-committee headed by state Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao to monitor the measures to contain the spread of Covid-19. Other than Rao, the three ministers in the panel are Social Welfare Minister Dr H C Mahadevappa, Medical Education Minister Dr Sharan Prakash Patil and Higher Education Minister Dr M C Sudhakar.
In other news, Karnataka Chief minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday clarified that there is no order issued by the government to lift the restrictions on hijab. Speaking to reporters in Mysuru he said, “We have still not issued any order regarding this. A question on hijab was asked for which I said we are considering to lift ban on wearing hijab (in schools and colleges). We will discuss in the government level and then take a decision.” This comes after Siddaramaiah Friday said that the restrictions on wearing hijab (head scarf) in educational institutions within the state will be lifted starting December 23.
Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party reacted to the decision, raising concerns about the “secular nature” of educational institutions. “CM Siddaramaiah’s decision to withdraw the Hijab ban in educational institutions raises concerns about the secular nature of our educational spaces,” BJP state president BY Vijayendra posted on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). “By allowing religious attire in educational institutions Siddaramaiah government is promoting dividing young minds along religious lines, potentially hindering the inclusive learning environment,” he further added.
According to CM Siddaramaiah, three deaths have been reported, and the cause of the deaths cannot be attributed to Covid as they had other health issues. (File)
Covid cases spike in Karnataka. Check status of active cases here
The number of active cases in Karnataka surged to 104 Saturday. Here's data published by Karnataka's department of health and family welfare.
Amid surge in Covid cases, Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao reviews prepardness for health camp
Amid rise in Covid cases in Karnataka, Minister for Health Dinesh Gundu Rao met health officials to review prepardness for a massive health camp to be organised in Chamaranjanagar district. The health camp is supposed to be an easier way to reach people in rural areas.
"Chaired a preliminary meeting with the health officials to review preparedness for the massive health camp being organized at Kollegala in Chamarajanagar district. The massive health camp will offer preventive and curative treatment and is an easier way to reach people in rural areas. I instructed the concerned authorities to make proper arrangements and ensure the availability of specialist doctors, equipment and medications. Kollegala MLA Shri AR Krishnamurthy, District Health Officer and Tehsildar were present in the meeting," Rao wrote in a post on X.
"Did the recce of the playground in Kollegala where a massive health camp will be held. MLA AR Krishnamurthy along with health department officials accompanied me in reviewing the preparations," read Rao's another X post.
See posts here:
Wear masks as Covid cases rise in Karnataka, people step up precautionary measures | In pic
Karnataka reports 104 fresh Covid cases in last 24 hours, case positivity rate at 5.93%. Check district wise Covid data here
The Karnataka government had on Friday constituted a four-member cabinet sub-committee headed by state Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao to monitor the measures to contain the spread of Covid-19.
Covid cases increase in Karnataka: Christmas holidays are here, what precautions should we take ?
We have come a long way since the early days of the lockdown. People have been vaccinated, have infection-acquired immunity too. We know what to do and what precautions to take. There is no need for travel mandates. And take precautions at the individual level. Wear a mask if you are in a crowded place, don’t go to work if you have flu-like symptoms, stay at home for a day or two for them to subside. The thing is by the time a variant gets picked up in one country or place, it has already spread all over. We have seen that before too. Hence it does not make sense to impose travel restrictions. Of course the caseload may vary in different states of the country. Read more
Karnataka witnesses spike in Covid cases: Here are ways to prevent infection | Five points
1. You should always clean your hands before and after using a mask, and before touching it while wearing it.
2. While wearing a mask, you should still keep physical distance from others as much as possible. Wearing a mask does not mean you can have close contact with people.
3. For indoor public settings such as busy shopping centres, religious buildings, restaurants, schools and public transport, you should wear a mask if you cannot maintain physical distance from others.
4. If a visitor comes to your home who is not a member of the household, wear a mask if you cannot maintain a physical distance or the ventilation is poor.
5. When outside, wear a mask if you cannot maintain physical distance from others. Some examples are busy markets, crowded streets and bus stops.
'issue gone to court, lets wait for judgement', says BJP leader Mahesh in response to Siddaramaiah's hijab ban lift announcement
"BJP government has not banned the Hijab. The issue was raised by some Muslim girls in a particular college in Karnataka. So, the issue has gone to court, let's wait for the court's judgment, and we should all abide by it," BJP leader N Mahesh told PTI in response to Siddaramaiah's statement. Siddaramaiah Friday announced that he will order hijab ban to be lifted in the state and clarified Saturday that they will discuss and decide on the matter.
Its time for caution again as Covid cases surge ! Read our editorial on Covid surge
Viruses are strips of genetic material and some other molecules. Strictly speaking, they never die and even when they are benign, these microbes are at work, infecting people. That’s why experts have maintained that the Covid virus will never go away — new variants and sub-variants that escape the protection offered by vaccines will emerge. That’s what seems to be happening in India and some other parts of the world which have seen an uptick of Covid cases for about a week. The rise in infections has largely been driven by a new sub-variant of Omicron, JN.1. Three Covid-related deaths have been reported from Kerala and two from Karnataka, though their connection with the JN.1 hasn’t yet been established. The government has rightly advised caution though it has also assured that the situation is by no means worrying. “The variant is currently under intense scientific scrutiny but not a cause of immediate concern. All JN.1 cases were found to be mild and all of them have recovered without any complications,” the Health Ministry has said. Read more
Number of Covid cases spike to 104 in Karnataka. Using masks in crowded indoor can curb Covid spread. Check details here
Masking up and social distancing help in keeping any unknown virus at bay. “One has to take a nuanced approach when an all-new variant like JN.1 is in circulation. For instance, in a crowded, indoor, ill-ventilated setting, wearing a mask is a good idea, at least until the present surge dies down. However, it is not necessary while walking alone on the beach,” ss Dr Rajeev Jayadevan, Co-Chairman, national Indian Medical Association (IMA) Covid task force. Read more
KSRTC launches Namma Cargo truck service
Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy flagged off 20 trucks while launching Namma (Our) Cargo' truck service for the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation Saturday. Reddy said 100 trucks will be inducted in a month and 500 more by the end of next year.
The minister added Basaveshwara bus station at Peenya will be utilised as a depot for operation and maintenance of these trucks and the remaining vacant space will be provided to government companies to generate commercial revenue.
"In order to capitalise its strength in the passenger transport business in 2021, the KSRTC ventured into the logistics business under the brand name "Namma Cargo" to carry parcels on KSRTC route buses. Taking this forward, KSRTC is now introducing a brand new "Namma Cargo truck service" fitted with GPS for goods transportation," KSRTC said in a statement.
With PTI inputs
Active number of Covid cases surges to 271 in Karnataka. Check health department's data here
Karnataka reported 104 fresh cases of Covid-19 in the last 24 hours. This takes the total number of active cases in the state to 271, with four Covid deaths reported since December 15. The case positivity rate in the last 24 hours stands at 5.93%.
Check numbers here:
Covid cases surge in Karnataka: Should you be worried ? Watch video
Karnataka reported 78 fresh cases, with one Covid-related death in the last 24 hours. This takes the total number of active cases in the state to 175, with four Covid deaths reported since December 15.
Should you be worried ? We explain in a video. Watch
'Will discuss and decide, no order issued': Siddaramaiah on lifting hijab ban
Karnataka Chief minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday clarified that there is no order issued by the government to lift the restrictions on hijab. Speaking to reporters in Mysuru he said, “We have still not issued any order regarding this. A question on hijab was asked for which I said we are considering to lift ban on wearing hijab (in schools and colleges). We will discuss in the government level and then take a decision.”
Covid cases surge in Karnataka: ‘No need of travel mandate': Here's what WHO chief scientist Dr Soumya Swaminathan said on Covid JN.1 variant
As the new Covid-19 sub-variant, JN.1, rapidly spreads across India, former WHO chief scientist Dr Soumya Swaminathan speaks to Anuradha Mascarenhas on how the mutating virus would continue to be a global public health threat.
Dr Swaminathan, who attended the high-level review meeting chaired by Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya about the upsurge in Covid-19 cases, said that that the WHO had just declared the end of a public health emergency but never said it was the end of the pandemic or that we should lower the guard rails.
Is this variant more severe?
We need more data to answer that question. As of now, we do not have enough data. However, other countries do and based on that, JN.1 does not seem to be behaving differently. Yes, it is more transmissible, any virus has to be more transmissible to become the dominant variant. So far it seems to be the same as Omicron. If it spreads a lot, then there will be a certain number of people who will get sick and end up in hospitals. But that is true of any emerging variant.
Right now we have data from a few states which are doing the testing and sequencing. We will need more data on hospitalisation and severity to correlate that with the variant. Read more
Covid cases surge in Karnataka: 'No special restrictions for Christmas, New Year celebrations', says Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao
Amid the rise in Covid cases in Karnataka, Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao held a meeting with health officials Friday. With Christmas and New Year around the corner, Rao said there are no special restrictions for celebrations.
See Rao's X post here:
Karnataka hijab lifting: ‘I will continue my education now’: Student who dropped out of college after hijab row
In Karnataka’s Mandya, Muskan Khan is overjoyed. “I had given up my education over the hijab. Now, with the CM announcing he will allow it, I will continue my education,” says Khan, a day after Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that the restrictions on wearing hijab (headscarf) in educational institutions in the state will be lifted from Saturday.
On February 8, 2022, Khan, then a second-year BCom student of PES College in Mandya, was the face of defiance as she confronted a group of young men wearing saffron shawls as they heckled her and shouted religious slogans. But after the Karnataka government banned hijab in schools and colleges, Khan discontinued her education.
“I did get opportunities from colleges in other cities but I refused to take them up. I want to be in my hometown and continue my education. I just hope that issues like the hijab are never politicised. Like anybody else, my education is also important and I would hope for an environment like before in colleges,” she says. Read more
Covid cases spike in Karnataka: Do you know about the new variant JN.1 ? Is it more infectious ?
Dr Rajesh Karyakarte, genome sequencing coordinator for Maharashtra, says the growth advantage is exponential and cites WHO data that shows how JN.1 rapidly increased from just 3.3 per cent of all coronavirus cases between October 30 and November 5 to 27 per cent a month later. “This is an 86 percent growth advantage,’” says Dr Karyakarte, reasoning that it was due to the increased transmission, immune escape and a prolonged infectious period.
This suggests that it is contagious and is getting better at going past the body’s immunity defence than the ancestral strain, according to the CDC. But the spike transmission doesn’t mean that it causes severe disease as hospital admission is low. Experts also say it is a low risk infection and people with prior infection and/or vaccination need not worry. Read more
Bengaluru News Live Updates: Siddaramaiah appointed as Congress manifesto drafting committee member for Lok Sabha polls 2024
Karnataka Chief Minister and Congress leader K Siddaramaiah in a post on X thanked All Indian Congress Committee President Mallikarjun Kharge for appointing him as the member of the party's manifesto drafting committee for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. He also expressed gratitude to Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi.
Covid cases surge in Karnataka: 'JN.1 variant more transmissible, has immune-escape mechanism', says doctor
"The new COVID variant JN.1 is emerging as the dominant variant. It is spreading because it is more transmissible and has an immune-escape mechanism. The good thing is that cases have increased but there is no increase in hospital admissions or deaths. So, it is a mild variant," Dr. Randeep Guleria told PTI. Guleria is the chairman of the Institute of Internal Medicine & Respiratory and Sleep Medicine and Director Medical Education at Medanta.
78 fresh Covid cases in Karnataka: Worried over symptoms ? Here's how to find if its cold, flu or Covid
While sore throat, a runny, stuffy nose, body aches and fever may be symptomatic of most COVID-19 variants, these also show up in influenza and pollution-related upper respiratory chest infection. With overlapping symptoms, testing is the only way to ensure a faster road to recovery with antivirals specific to each condition.
According to Dr Rommel Tickoo, Director, Internal Medicine, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket, New Delhi, there is a high incidence of flu, cough, sore throat and other viral-like illnesses in Delhi NCR attributable to air pollution and colder temperatures. So a COVID-19 infection could be mistaken for either one of these. “That’s why any influenza-like illness should be taken seriously among the immunocompromised group and an RT PCR test conducted. Now it makes sense to start random testing just to find out more about the new variant JN.1. We should start testing and thermal screening at airports. However, it’s important to remember that the coronavirus can cause a wide range of symptoms, some of them still mystifying,” he says. Read more
Karnataka hijab ban lifting: 'Raises concerns about secular nature of educational spaces', says state BJP leader B Y Vijayendra
While former Karnataka Chief Minister and BJP leader Basavaraj Bommai denied that there was no hijab ban in place in the state, but the issue was limited to a common dress code, BJP state leader responded saying CM Siddaramaiah's decision to lift the ban raises concerns about the "secular nature" of educational spaces.
BJP state president B Y Vijayendra, in a post on X, said the government is dividing young minds along religious lines. "CM Siddaramaiah's decision to withdraw the Hijab ban in educational institutions raises concerns about the secular nature of our educational spaces," the Shikaripura MLA said.
"By allowing religious attire in educational institutions Siddaramaiah government is promoting dividing young minds along religious lines, potentially hindering the inclusive learning environment," he said.
The BJP state chief said it was crucial to prioritise education over divisive practices and foster an environment where students can focus on academics without the influence of religious practices.
With PTI inputs
No ban on hijab, question of common dress code: Former Karnataka CM and BJP leader Basavaraj Bommai
Former Karnataka Chief Minister and BJP leader Basavaraj Bommai, responding to CM Siddaramaiah's announcement to revoke hijab ban in educational institutions, said that there was no such ban in place. ''First of all, there was no ban on hijab, it can be worn everywhere, including Assembly and marketplaces,' Bommai said. Adding that the issue was limited to a common dress code, Bommai said, 'This dress code order was not given by BJP (government) but in 1984 by the then government and Siddaramaiah was part of it". (PTI inputs)
Will take decision on hijab based on legal framework: Karnataka school education minister
A day after Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced the revoking of the hijab ban order in educational institutions, Karnataka School Education and Literacy Minister Madhu Bangarappa said that a decision will be taken after a discussion with the chief minister and taking the legal framework into consideration. 'I will also consult legal experts on the matter to see whether the (hijab) ban order can be revoked and hijab be allowed while maintaining the legal sanctity,' Bangarappa said. While pointing out that this was a sensitive issue, Bangarappa said that it was not necessary to politicise it.
Rejecting Yemeni national’s visa extension plea, Karnataka HC asks FRRO to ‘set house in order’
Rejecting a Yemeni national’s application for an extension on his visa, the Karnataka High Court took a dim view of the Foreign Regional Registration Office (FRRO), saying that it needs “to set its house in order” and “not convert visas…without verification of documents”. The order was passed on December 20 by a single-judge bench of Justice M Nagaprasanna after the court observed changes in the type of the Yemeni national’s visa and that he was in India for a long period without a valid visa.
The petitioner had come to India in 2013 to pursue a science degree, which he did not complete due to ill health and language issues. He later returned to India in 2016 to complete the degree, this time getting the visitor’s visa converted to a medical visa, which was subsequently converted to a double entry visa. The final extension on this visa expired in 2023. Read more here
Karnataka reports 78 fresh Covid-19 cases in last 24 hours
78 fresh cases of Covid-19 were recorded in Karnataka in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of active cases in the state to 175. Oew covid-related death was reported in the state, with the case fatality rate at 1.28 percent.
Lifting Hijab ban raises concern about the 'secular nature' of educational spaces: Karnataka BJP
The BJP has strongly reacted to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's decision to lift the ban on wearing Hijab in classrooms, saying it raises concerns about the "secular nature" of educational spaces. Siddaramaiah on Friday said he has ordered withdrawal of the ban, observing that choice of dress and food is personal.
BJP state president B Y Vijayendra, in a post on X, said the government is dividing young minds along religious lines. "CM Siddaramaiah's decision to withdraw the Hijab ban in educational institutions raises concerns about the secular nature of our educational spaces," the Shikaripura MLA said. "By allowing religious attire in educational institutions Siddaramaiah government is promoting dividing young minds along religious lines, potentially hindering the inclusive learning environment," he said. (PTI)
All BBMP schools to be handed over to Karnataka School Education Department: Shivakumar
Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has said that all BBMP schools will be handed over to the Karnataka School Education Department due to the declining performance of these schools.
Ban on hijab to be withdrawn in Karnataka on Dec 23Â
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday said the restrictions on wearing hijab (head scarf) in educational institutions in the state will be lifted from December 23, saying choice of dress and food is personal and no one should interfere in it.
Speaking at the inauguration of three police stations in Nanjangud in Mysuru district, the Chief Minister said no one should indulge in vote bank politics.
Lashing out at the BJP, Siddaramaiah said, "They say 'Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas' (Cooperation of all, Development of all) but sidelining those wearing caps, burqa and sporting beard. Is this what they mean?" When someone in the crowd asked about restrictions on wearing hijab, the CM said, "No (restrictions). You can wear Hijab. I have instructed (the officials) that there will be no restriction from tomorrow onwards. You can wear and eat whatever you want. It's up to you." "... your choices are yours and my choices are mine. it's that simple," Siddaramaiah said amid the cheering crowd.
"I wear dhoti and kurta, and you wear pant and shirt. It's your choice. What's wrong in this?" he asked.
Affirming that the Congress party does not indulge in politics for votes, the chief minister said, "Congress government came to power to protect the rights of the poor, backward classes, Dalits and minorities. There is no question of compromising on this." Referring to the five guarantees of the government in Karnataka, he said the benefits are available to people irrespective of their caste, religion and even "political ideology". (PTI)
Minister asks people to wear masks in crowded places
Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao on Friday urged the people to wear masks in crowded places in the wake of the threat of a fresh wave of Covid-19.
Addressing reporters after a review meeting, he also said there is no cause for panic, but people should be cautious. No restrictions will be imposed and wearing of masks will not be made compulsory for the time being, he said.
Rao said the first meeting of the cabinet sub-committee on Covid-19 management will be held in Bengaluru on December 25. Talks will be held with the Centre to revise the guidelines if necessary.
The minister wanted the healthcare personnel to be on alert to deal with the emerging situation. (PTI)
Doctor in Karnataka’s Tumkur caught taking bribe for delivery
Karnataka Lokayukta sleuths on Friday caught a medical officer at government hospital in Tumkur while accepting a bribe of Rs 3,000 for delivery and delivery discharge services.
The accused, Hariprasad, 44, had sought the bribe from the complainant Hanamanthappa, a resident of PKS Colony, Tumkur. The accused has been booked under Section 7(a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The Karnataka Lokayukta police also conducted surprise checks at 10 government hospitals in Bengaluru city and Bengaluru rural region. According to sources in the Lokayukta, the raids were conducted to check irregularities in hospital management including inventory management, medical supplies, cash register maintenance, accessibility to corruption-free health care facilities among others.
Read more
'I have told to withdraw the hijab ban': CM Siddaramaiah
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday criticised the policies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing them of dividing people and society on the basis of clothes, dress, and caste.
Taking to X, Siddaramaiah said, "I have told to withdraw the hijab ban." It has been a subject of heated debate and protests in Karnataka recently.
Bengaluru declared third busiest airport in India after Delhi, Mumbai during FY 2022-23
Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport is the third busiest airport in India after Delhi and Mumbai, handling over 31 million passengers during the financial year 2022-23, stated Minister of State of Civil Aviation Gen (Dr) VK Singh (Retd) while replying to a question in Lok Sabha.
Among the 129 airports in the country, Delhi stood first with over 65 million passengers followed by Mumbai at 43 million passengers. Hyderabad airport recorded 21 million passengers followed by Chennai at 18 million.
In Karnataka, Mangaluru International Airport handled over 18 lakh passengers making it the second busiest airport in the state. It was then followed by Hubballi and Belagavi airports which handled over 3 lakh to 2 lakh passengers respectively.
Read more
KSDL bribery case: AAP urges to re-inquire against ex-BJP MLA Madal VirupakshappaÂ
The Aam Aadmi Party's state unit on Friday demanded that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah immediately refer the Karnataka Soap and Detergent Factory bribery case to the Lokayukta to re-investigate former BJP MLA K Madal Virupakshappa.
The demand came two days after the Karnataka High Court quashed a case against Virupakshappa.
The party's state media coordinator Jagadish V Saddam said the Lokayukta raid at Virupakshappa's office when he was an MLA and president of the Karnataka Soap and Detergent Factory (KSDL), attracted the attention of the entire country. This incident took place before the Karnataka assembly elections. It was the main reason for BJP's crushing defeat in the state. (PTI)
Do state BJP state leaders have the morals to object to my traveling in a special flight: CM Siddaramaiah
Questioning whether the BJP leaders have "morals to object to my traveling in a special flight to discuss the state's drought situation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi", CM Siddaramaiah said "the hundreds of crores of money spent by the BJP who brought down the coalition government through Operation Kamala, flew the MLAs around Delhi and Mumbai in a special plane, stayed in luxury hotels for weeks and had fun, were not collected by the BJP as laborers in the Narega project, but the tax money earned by the poor people of the state."
Taking to X, he wrote, "From June 15, 2014 to September 2023 the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made 74 foreign trips. According to figures from the Prime Minister's official website, the average cost per trip is Rs 8.9 crore."
Home Minister Shah will hold meeting of high-level committee on drought situation: K'taka CM
Union Home Minister Amit Shah will chair a meeting of the high-level committee on the Karnataka drought situation on December 23, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said here on Friday.
He said he had explained the extreme drought situation prevailing in Karnataka to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Shah during his recent visit to Delhi and sought financial assistance to face it.
"I met Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Along with him, I met Amit Shah also because he is the chairman of the High Level Committee. The decisions are taken by that committee only. I have also discussed about Mahadayi, Mekedatu and Upper Bhadra projects with them," Siddaramaiah said.
In view of the drought situation, Siddaramaiah said he requested them to enhance employment days for labourers from 100 days to 150 days under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme. (PTI)
Karnataka: 4-member Cabinet sub-committee formed for Covid managementÂ
The Karnataka government on Thursday constituted a four-member cabinet sub-committee headed by state Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao for COVID-19 management.
Other than Rao, the three ministers in the panel are Social Welfare Minister Dr H C Mahadevappa, Medical Education Minister Dr Sharan Prakash Patil and Higher Education Minister Dr M C Sudhakar.
The committee will monitor the measures to contain the spread of COVID-19, which is once again creating a scare among the masses. (PTI)
Karnataka Lokayukta sleuths conduct surprise checks in 10 Bengaluru hospitals
Karnataka Lokayukta sleuths conducted surprise checks in 10 hospitals in Bengaluru on Friday to crack down on corrupt medical officials, irregularities in inventory management, medical supplies, and other violations. The list includes General Hospital, Nelamangala, General Hospital, Yelahanka, KC General Hospital, Malleswaram, Sanjay Gandhi Hospital, Ghousia Hospital, Vani Vilas Hospital, among others.
NIA arrests 11th accused from Kerala in human trafficking case
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested the 11th accused in a human trafficking case, which the agency had busted last month following nationwide raids.
Absconder Saudi Zakir, who had been on the run since his house was searched last month by the NIA, was on Thursday tracked to his Kochi (Kerala) hideout and taken into custody.
Investigations have revealed that the accused had illegally crossed into India via Benapole at the Indo-Bangladesh border. He had moved to the Bellandur area in Bengaluru city of Karnataka, where he had set up a Waste Collection and Segregation Unit and had employed other foreign nationals, who had also illegally crossed over into India through the border.
NIA had registered the Human Trafficking case (RC-01/2023/NIA/DLI) on November 7, 2023, following credible inputs about certain Karnataka-based persons having linkages with facilitators and traffickers in Assam, Tripura and countries across the border. The linkages were identified as part of a large network engaged in the trafficking of individuals into India through the Indo-Bangladesh border. The accused were also providing fake Aadhar cards to the individuals trafficked from across the border, as per investigations.
Ten foreign nationals had been earlier arrested by the NIA in the case, registered under sections 120B, 370, 465 & 471 IPC and section 18 of UA(P) Act, 1967. The NIA is continuing its investigations in the case, aimed at dismantling the human trafficking racket being carried out through various networks active along the Indo-Bangladesh border.
Govt school students in Karnataka forced to clean toilets, headmistress suspended
The Department of School Education initiated disciplinary action on Friday and suspended the headmistress of Government Model Higher Primary School in Andrahalli, Lakshmidevamma, after she asked students to clean the toilets.
This comes days after a similar incident that took place in Kolar's Morarji Desai Residential School.
According to the Deputy Director of Public Instruction, Bengaluru North, parents and members from the Jay Karnataka Maharishi Valmiki Trust protested in front of the school after learning that their children were asked to clean the toilets.
School Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa said, "The law and the government still exisits. What happened is absolutely condemnable. We will take suitable measures in the coming days to stop such incidents."
Video of Karnataka CM in ultra-luxury jet goes viral, draws sharp reaction from BJP
The opposition BJP came down heavily on the Congress government in Karnataka for ‘flaunting rich fortune and luxury lifestyles' after a video went viral showing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his cabinet colleague B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan in a private jet.
The chief minister too retaliated, saying which plane Prime Minister Narendra Modi travels in and why does he go alone. In the video, Siddaramaiah is seen along with Housing Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan and Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, among others.
Minister Khan is seen walking inside the jet plane with a background song ‘Dekho Dekho Dekho Chalta Hai Sultan, Dekho Dekho Dekho Lalkar Hai Sultan'. There is a small logo with Khan's picture in it.
Karnataka BJP President B Y Vijayendra in a post of 'X' said: "If bigotry had a face, @INCKarnataka govt would be the Best of it! At a time, when whole of Karnataka is reeling under severe drought, farmers staring at the worst of crisis with loss of crops & no rainfall & hardly any development works taking off, all that @CMofKarnataka & his team of cabinet ministers could think of is flaunting their Rich Fortunes & Luxury Lifestyles over the poor damsels of the State!". (PTI)
Karnataka: Eight fishermen rescued as boat capsizes mid-sea
Eight fishermen who were on board a deep-sea fishing boat that capsized off Malpe coast in Udupi district were rescued by fishermen from another boat, police said.
The boat, ‘Sri Narayana', had ventured into the sea from Malpe port on the night of December 12. It capsized during the wee hours of December 19 when water began gushing into the boat after its base got ruptured after hitting some object.
The crew immediately sent an emergency help message to other boats engaged in fishing in the vicinity. Responding to the call, fishermen from another boat, ‘Sri Mookambika Anugraha' helped rescue the stranded people on the boat. The rescued fishermen were later safely transported to the shore, police said. (PTI)
'Ask BJP what PM Modi travels in': Siddaramaiah responds to chartered flight controversy
"How does PM Narendra Modi travel around the country? He travels alone on special flights. This question (of travelling in luxury during drought) should be asked to the BJP," asked Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah at Mysore airport following the sharing of visuals by BJP leaders of Siddaramaiah and several members of his cabinet travelling on a chartered flight to Delhi recently.
The Karnataka CM and cabinet colleagues travelled to Delhi this week in a chartered flight to meet PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah to seek Rs.18,177 crore relief for drought conditions in Karnataka.
BJP's Shehzad Poonawalla criticises Siddaramaiah for using luxury jet
The BJP continues to attack the Karnataka government led by Siddarmaiah after a video of the Chief Minister and his ministers travelling by a luxury jet to Delhi went viral. The Karnataka Chief Minister was in Delhi to seek assistance from the centre to help combat the drought faced by the state.
BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla questioned Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah alleging double standards from the Congress.
"Karnataka is reeling under the drought and the Chief Minister of Karnataka is asking the Centre for the relief fund. Meanwhile, the Deputy Chief Minister (D. K. Shivakumar) of the state tells his own MLAs and people that there is no money left for development because the money has been splurged on the so-called promises made by the Congress party, which they are unable to fulfil" Shehzad Poonawalla said.
The BJP spokesperson further said that while the Karnataka government are increasing the price of milk and increasing the price of electricity, on the other hand, the ministers of the Karnataka government are doing photoshoots and splurging on VVIP planes and jet planes at the cost of tax payers' money, along with the Chief Minister. (ANI)
Days after woman stripped and assaulted, many families in tense Belagavi village keep girls indoors
More than a week after a woman was dragged out of her house, stripped, paraded naked, tied to a pole and assaulted, the village in Karnataka’s Belagavi where the incident took place remained tense, with many residents fearing for the safety of women in their families.
The December 11 assault on the woman was carried out by several members of another family in the village after discovering that her son and their daughter had eloped. While both families belonged to the same tribal community, local residents said the girl’s family was against their relationship because the boy’s family was economically weaker and his father an “outsider”.
The assault has left residents fearing further violence, even amid heightened police presence in the village. Many families have stopped sending girls to school, preferring to keep them home at all times. (Read more)
Bengaluru traffic police holds drunken driving checks
As many as 75 cases of drunken driving were detected during a spot check on Thursday night, said Bengaluru Traffic Police.
As many as 2804 vehicles were stopped for checking, said the police
24 new Covid-19 cases reported in Karnataka
Karnataka reported 24 new Covid-19 cases in the past 24 hours, according to the latest update from the state Health Ministry. No deaths have been reported, and the total number of active cases has risen to 105.
Eleven Covid patients were discharged yesterday and the Covid positivity rate is at 1.06%, the update added.
Karnataka makes masks must for senior citizens; Covid cases rise to 92
In the wake of rising Covid cases caused by the JN.1 variant, the Karnataka government has made masks mandatory for senior citizens above 60 years of age. Masks were also recommended for those visiting densely populated areas and interacting frequently with people as a precautionary measure.
The announcements were made following a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah with the technical advisory committee on Thursday. The CM said that a Cabinet sub-committee will be formed later in the day to ensure that all requirements to tackle the pandemic are met.
“There is no need to be anxious or fearful. But, people should be careful,” CM Siddaramaiah said. (Read more)