Dist. admin's endosulfan survey method faulty: Dr. Shanbhag

[email protected] (CD Network)
October 16, 2012

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Mangalore, October 16: The methodology being used by Dakshina Kannada district administration in carrying out a survey to list the victims of endosulfan is faulty, alleged Dr. Ravindranath Shanbhag, President, Human Rights Protection Foundation, Udupi.

Addressing mediapersons at Press Club in Mangalore on Tuesday, Mr. Shanbhag said that the district administration is aiming to hold a survey in 78 villages in four taluks (Sullia, Puttur, Belthangady, Bantwal). As per the information collected from Karnataka Cashew Development Corporation (KCDC) by activists, aerial spray of endosulfan has been carried out in at least 92 villages, he said, and questioned as to why the district administration had left out the rest of the 14 villages.Further, villages of Udupi, Kundapur and Kumta divisions of KCDC where endosulfan was sprayed have been completely ignored, which is highly objectionable, Mr. Shanbhag said.

He also insisted that pregnant women be subjected to screening by the district administration in the affected villages. The district administration survey also does not take into account people from the village who have migrated to other cities after getting married and given birth to physically handicapped children there due to the effect of endosulfan, he added, and urged that people of marriageable age in these affected villages also be subjected to tests.

Taking a dig at C T Ravi, District in charge minister, DK, for his announcement that government would conduct a research to test the soil and water to measure the pollution caused by endosulfan, Mr. Shanbhag said that the last spray was way back in 2001 and there is no way the government would find traces of endosulfan in the samples taken today as seasons of rainfall have come and gone.

An attempt to avoid a ban on endosulfan is being made by authorities, Mr. Shanbhag said. The Supreme Court had asked the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) to convey its stand on endosulfan and if needs to be banned, and the ICMR asked for three years' time to carry out a study, Mr. Shanbhag said, questioning the move of the ICMR as it has already held studies in this area in the past. Teams of KMC, Mangalore and Manipal, had conducted a study by taking grants from the ICMR and the body cannot claim that it does not possess that report after having spent tax payers' money on the study, he said.

In order to ensure that there is justice, the activists will approach the High Court of Karnataka, Mr. Shanbhag said. He also said on the occasion that he welcomes the gesture of the Karnataka High Court of issuing notice to Central and State governments after receiving a letter from Justice K L Manjunath alleging that the governments were not providing medical aid to endosulfan victims, besides appointing an amicus curiae to supervise the rehabilitation programme.


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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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News Network
September 20,2024

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Mandya: The Deputy Superintendent of Police of Nagamangala town in Mandya district has been suspended for "negligence and dereliction of duty" in connection with the clashes that broke out between two groups during a Lord Ganesh idol procession, police said on Friday.

This is the second suspension of a police officer over the clashes on September 11 following which mobs went on a rampage targeting several shops and vehicles leading to tension here.

The situation in the town has since returned to normalcy and most of the shops have started operating. However, adequate security forces continued to be stationed here as a precautionary measure, according to police.

Sumeeth A R, DySP (Nagamangala), was suspended on Thursday for negligence and dereliction of duty, Mandya Superintendent of Police Mallikarjun Baldandi told PTI.

"He (Sumeeth) was not present at the spot nor was he at the police headquarters when the incident occurred. He arrived late at the spot despite the sensitive nature of events," he said.

Earlier, Police Inspector Ashok Kumar posted at Nagamangala town police station was suspended for dereliction of duty in connection with the violence.

A total of 55 people have been arrested in connection with the incident.

According to police, an argument broke out between two groups, when the Ganesh idol procession by devotees from Badarikoppalu village reached a place of worship on September 11, and some miscreants hurled stones, which escalated the situation.

The police had used mild force to disperse the crowd to control the situation.

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News Network
September 17,2024

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Mangaluru: In an act of extraordinary selflessness, a young lecturer and mother, Archana Kamath, tragically passed away just days after donating a portion of her liver to a relative. She was 33.

Archana, who had devoted her career to shaping young minds as a lecturer at Canara College and most recently at Manel Srinivasa Nayak MBA College, was a loving mother to a four-year-old boy. Her sudden passing has left her family, students, and colleagues reeling in shock and grief.

The story of her untimely demise began when a relative of her husband, CA Chethan Kumar, required a life-saving liver transplant. 

With no other matching donors in sight, Archana stepped forward, her heart full of compassion. Her blood type matched, and without hesitation, she made the brave decision to donate a part of her liver—an act that would ultimately cost her life.

The surgery, performed 12 days ago in Bengaluru, seemed successful. Archana appeared to recover well and was discharged, bringing hope and relief to her loved ones. 

But just days after returning home, she suddenly fell ill and passed away on September 15 in a Mangaluru hospital. The cause of her sudden decline remains a mystery, compounding the sorrow of those who knew and loved her.

Her final act of love saved a life—the relative who received her liver is said to be recovering well. But Archana’s loss is felt deeply by her husband and their young son, who are now left to navigate a world without her warmth and strength.

As family and friends grapple with this tragic turn of events, Archana’s memory will live on in the hearts of those who knew her as a caring educator, devoted mother, and a woman whose ultimate sacrifice was made out of love.

The full story of her passing is still unfolding, and her untimely death has left an irreplaceable void in the lives of all who knew her.
 

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