Mangaluru: Notorious ‘Target Gang’ leader, associate arrested in murder case

Bengaluru, Feb 29: The BJP leaders in Karnataka rallied behind Vijayapura MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal amid a controversy over his remarks that centenarian freedom fighter HS Doreswamy was a "Pakistani agent."

The saffron party leaders have extended support to Yatnal, days after he called Doreswamy a "fake freedom fighter" who behaves like a "Pakistani agent".

Yatnal made the comments at a press conference on February 25 while reacting to a query on a public meeting organised by the Congress titled 'Save the Constitution'.

"There are many fake freedom fighters. There is one in Bengaluru. Now we have to say what Doreswamy is. Where is that old man? He behaves like a Pakistan agent," Patil had said.

"Doreswamy is an elderly person and senior to all. He had participated in various agitations. He should also see what to talk and who will be hurt with those statements. We have all seen what he said about Prime Minister Narendra Modi," Primary and Secondary Education Minister S Suresh Kumar told reporters in Kodagu on Saturday reacting to Yatnal's outburst against Doreswamy.

Noting that the statements were made in bitter taste, Kumar said, "If you speak unpleasant (things), you will hear unpleasant."

Bellary City MLA G Somashekara Reddy too backed Yatnal saying that the his statement was appropriate. "There is nothing wrong in his statement. It is absolutely correct. I support him. It is not just okay to be a freedom fighter, but he should be a 'Deshbhakt' (patriot) too, who respects the unity and integrity of the nation."

On Friday, another BJP Minister KS Eshwarappa slammed Doreswamy alleging that he had visited Amulya Leona's residence and shared a good relationship with her family.

Leona had raised 'Pakistan Zindabad' slogans at an anti-CAA event here on February 21, taking everybody present by shock and dismay.

"We respect Doreswamy but he dances to the tune of Congress and supports whatever their leaders say," Eshwarappa said.

Mangaluru, Mar 25: In the wake of coronavirus outbreak, Nalin Kumar Kateel, Member of Parliament today declared that the coastal city of Mangaluru will remain completely shut tomorrow, (March 26) onwards.

"Today the people were given time to go out of their houses to buy essentials today. But from tomorrow, this will not be allowed," the MP said. 

"We are discussing with officials of all departments about ways to manage the situation. Essential things and facilities people need, will be delivered at their doorsteps. We are sorting out how to deliver the items on behalf of the government and mode of delivery of items to apartment complexes," he said.

He said that a large number of patients from Kasaragod had come into the city yesterday. Hence, the district administration has taken a decision, he said.

"Under the present circumstances, the hospitals in the city would not be sufficient for our purpose. So the administration will not allow any vehicles including ambulances into the city. All the ambulances would be blocked from entering Dakshina Kannada district at Talapady border and sent back," he said.

Mangaluru, Feb 6: A 40-day old child with cardiac condition was shifted to Bengaluru’s Jayadev Hospital from Father Muller Hospital in Mangaluru through a green corridor traffic.

Hospital sources said the ambulance carrying the 40-day old patient was provided Green Corridor by police department throughout the way.

Saiful Azhman, who is just 40-days old has been diagnosed with heart-related ailment. Doctors at FMMC hospital provided basic treatment to Saiful and advised that he be taken to Jayadeva hospital for advanced treatment.