Army aspirants from Bagalkot return disappointed

[email protected] (Govind D. Belgaumkar, The Hindu)

April 5, 2011

Mangalore, April 5: More than 60 youths who came from Bagalkot district to take fitness test for sepoy GD (General Duty) in the army recruitment rally at Mangala Stadium here on Monday had to return home disappointed.

News report

They arrived here based on a report that appeared in a popular Kannada daily that the recruitment was open for 11 districts, including Bagalkot. But they learnt on arrival here that Bagalkot was not one of the districts listed.

Disappointed

Bhimappa Bargi was among the 12 youth from Kulali in Mudhol taluk of the district who had to spend Rs. 450 to reach here at 1 a.m.

They waited till day break only to be turned down saying people from Bagalkot will have to go Bangalore sometime later.

Siddappa Y. Goudar of Somankoppa in Badami taluk was among those who reached at 2 a.m. spending Rs. 350 only to be “thrown out” of the stadium.

Hanumanth H. Walikar said he and his friends had been practising for the last one year to improve fitness for the sepoy post.

“We have been doing pull ups and running regularly,” he said.

Harsh treatment

A number of aspirants had to face the harsh words from army officers at the screening centre. “Chal hath (get lost)” were the common words for those who did not qualify but expressed their disappointment.

Some youths complained that although they were eligible they were not allowed to take the test for other posts but officers.

When The Hindu brought this to the notice of an officer, he immediately arranged for the screening of about 30 youths. At least five candidates who had been asked to go away got a chance to face fitness tests.

Army officers screening the candidates said it was common for them to see candidates from districts not listed coming to the recruitment rally. An officer even made light of it saying “they would have come here for some other purpose and may want to take some chance.”

Not responsible

On being told that they had a clipping of a newspaper with them, he said the Defence force could hardly be held responsible for the news published.

Verify information

An officer of the rank of Colonel said aspirants should cross check information with sainik welfare boards, district information offices or Deputy Commissioner's offices before reaching the rally.

The schedule could not be changed now, he said.

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Situation in Nagamangala town peaceful after Ganesh idol procession violence: Home Minister

News Network

September 14,2024

Bengaluru: Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Saturday said the situation in violence-hit Nagamangala town in Mandya district is peaceful now, and steps have been taken to ensure that no untoward incidents take place.

Clashes had broken out between two groups during the Ganesh idol procession in the town, following which mobs went on a rampage with stone pelting and targeting several shops and vehicles leading to tension on Wednesday night.

"Situation in Nagamangala is now peaceful and there is no problem there. I have also instructed officials to hold a peace meeting there. We have instructed officers to ensure that no untoward incidents take place, enough police force is also stationed there," Parameshwara told reporters here.

About 55 people have been arrested in connection with the incident and they have been sent to judicial custody, according to police sources.

Responding to a question on opposition parties including JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy raising doubts about the FIR, he said, "The police will do what has to be done in accordance with law..."

Asked about BJP sending a fact finding team to Nagamangala, the Home Minister said, "Let them find the facts and inform us, and if there is any fact from their fact finding, we will look into it. It will make our work a bit easier." The BJP panel consisting of MLA C N Ashwath Narayan, former Minister Byrathi Basavaraj, former Minister K C Narayana Gowda, state secretary Lakshmi Ashwin Gowda, and former IPS officer Bhaskar Rao, will visit the spot and submit a comprehensive report to the party in a week.

According to police, an argument had broken out between two groups, when the Ganesh idol procession by devotees from Badri Koppalu village reached a place of worship on Wednesday, and some miscreants hurled stones, which escalated the situation.

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