338 Kerala students tested covid positive in Dakshina Kannada from Jan 1 to Mar 14

News Network
March 23, 2021

Mangaluru, Mar 23: As many as 338 students from Kerala tested positive for Covid-19 in Dakshina Kannada (DK) since January so far. Students from Kerala have been attending colleges in the district since December.

According to official statistics available, a total of 111 students confirmed to have tested positive for the pandemic in January, 160 in February and 67 till March 14. Even after March 14, many students from Kerala are testing positive for the virus.

Since January, more than five colleges in the district have been declared as containment zones. Many hostels too were sealed following reports of more than five Covid-19 cases. 

The Covid-19 positivity rate of DK in January was 1.02 per cent, while that of the Kerala students was 8.46 per cent. Of 111 positive cases among Kerala students, Mangaluru had a major share of 108 cases. While Sullia had three cases. In January, swabs of 1,311 students were tested for the virus.

The positivity rate in the district in February was 1.14 per cent, while that of the Kerala students was 7.10 per cent. Out of 160 cases, 157 were from Mangaluru and three were from Sullia. A total of 2,252 students’ swabs were tested in February.

In March (till March 14), the positivity rate in the district was 1.18 per cent, while that of the Kerala students was 3.82 per cent. A total of 1,752 students’ swabs were tested. Out of 67 positive cases, 61 are from Mangaluru, five from Bantwal and one from Sullia.

The positivity rate by March-end would shoot up, as Covid cases have been increasing in the district. The district administration’s Covid-19 guidelines were apparently not being strictly adhered to. Though 60 students had tested positive for Covid in a college recently, the management had sent all 800 students to their houses. “This in turn will cause the spread of Covid-19 cases,” sources added.

Dakshina Kannada district Nodal officer Dr Ashok said if positive cases were reported in educational institutions, the team from the health department immediately initiates steps to check the spread of the virus. If more cases are reported, then the institution will be declared as a containment zone. RT-PCR tests of the Kerala students are conducted regularly, he added.

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News Network
October 29,2024

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Kasargod, Oct 29: At least 154 people have been injured in a fireworks accident at the Anjootambalam Veererkavu Temple in Kerala's Kasaragod district. Among the injured, eight individuals are reported to be in serious condition, with one person in extremely critical condition. The tragic incident occurred just after midnight on Monday during the traditional Theyyam festival, which drew over 1,500 attendees to the temple.

Eyewitnesses stated that the accident was triggered when sparks from firecrackers ignited additional fireworks stored in a nearby room. As panic ensued, a stampede followed, leading to further injuries. Local authorities confirmed that 97 individuals have been admitted to various hospitals in Kasargod, Kozhikode, Kannur, and Mangalore for treatment.

A young girl present during the incident recounted, "The accident took place after sparks from crackers fell into a room where other fireworks were stored. Soon, we were all running away, and I fell down and got injured. My sister escaped unhurt."

Safety Protocols Ignored: Police Detain Temple Officials

Authorities have attributed the cause of the fire to negligence on the part of the temple officials. The police have taken two members of the temple committee into custody for questioning. According to local officials, the temple had stored low-intensity fireworks worth around Rs 25,000 for the festival, which concludes on Tuesday night.

Kasargod district Superintendent of Police (SP) D. Shilpa emphasized that the temple authorities failed to comply with safety protocols, noting that they did not secure the mandatory licenses required for the bursting of firecrackers. District Collector K. Inbasekar confirmed that a thorough investigation is underway, with forensic samples collected from the accident site.

Local CPI(M) MLA M. Rajagopal expressed his condolences, calling the incident "very unfortunate" and reinforcing that safety measures must be strictly adhered to during such celebrations. Kasargod MP Rajmohan Unnithan echoed these sentiments, pointing out the serious lapses on the part of officials responsible for ensuring safety during the festival.

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News Network
October 26,2024

Mangaluru, Oct 26: In a distressing case of online harassment, Surathkal police in Mangaluru have apprehended a man, identified as Shariq, on charges of cyber harassment that allegedly led a woman to attempt suicide. 

The case took a dark turn when the woman reported that her Facebook account was hacked, leading to an influx of explicit, threatening messages directed at her brother, Kishan, and friend, Harshith.

According to Commissioner of Police Anupam Agrawal, the complaint, registered on October 22, specifically accused Shariq of orchestrating the harassment. Summoned for questioning, Shariq’s mobile phones and social media accounts were initially reviewed, but no conclusive evidence surfaced.

The case escalated when the woman reportedly received more abusive messages on October 24, pushing her to a point of desperation. Following her suicide attempt, police intensified the probe, reaching out to social media platforms for further verification. 

The Surathkal police have filed charges under sections 78(1)(i), 351(1 & 2), and 3(5) of the BNS, with the investigation ongoing to uncover the full extent of the cyber harassment network.

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News Network
October 29,2024

Bengaluru: Following allegations by a section of farmers from Vijayapura district that their lands were marked as Waqf properties, Karnataka Chief Minister Sidddaramaiah on Tuesday said none of them will be evicted, and notices issued to them will be withdrawn.

"No farmer will be evicted from their land. Yesterday Revenue Minister (Krishna Byre Gowda), M B Patil (Industries and Vijayapura district in-charge Minister) and Waqf Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan have jointly said that no farmer from Vijayapura will be evicted from their land," Siddaramaiah said.

Speaking to reporters here, he said in case notices have been issued to farmers, they will be withdrawn.

Responding to a question that similar notices have been issued to farmers in Yadgir and Dharwad districts too, the CM said: "I will ask the Revenue Minister to look into it, nowhere farmers will be evicted."

Seeking to clarify "confusion" over 1,200 acres in Honavada of Tikota taluk being marked as Waqf property, M B Patil had recently said it was due to an “error” in the gazette notification.

He also had said only 11 acres out of the 1,200 acres are Waqf properties, and a task force headed by the Deputy Commissioner will be formed to resolve the issues.

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